For 2½ years, Mike Hopkins and the Huskies enjoyed a blissful honeymoon filled with record-breaking performances, a trophy case of awards, a Pac-12 championship and two postseason appearances, including a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Washington posted a 58-23 record (.716) over its first 81 games with its first-time coach from Syracuse, who turned 50 last August.
Before their Christmas Day matchup with Houston in Honolulu, the Huskies were 10-2, ranked No. 21 in The Associated Press top-25 poll and seemingly headed toward a Diamond Head Classic title.
However, Washington dropped a heartbreaking 75-71 defeat in the final minutes, which began a midseason tailspin that seemed inconceivable at the start of the season.