When the Washington Huskies (8-3) take on the USC Trojans (8-5) it will be the battle of the tempos. Washington an uptempo team, who likes to push the ball up and down the floor will go up against a USC team that likes to play in the half court.
Washington was ranked 17th at the start of the year, but since then has fallen out of polls, they could make a name for them selves with two good wins this week. That being said if the Huskies play poorly this week against USC and UCLA it could be an uphill climb for the rest of the year.
Last year the Huskies had high hopes going into Pac 10 play. However, an 1-3 start to Pac 10 play forced them to go 10-4 in their remaining fourteen games. Even than 11-7 was not enough to get the Huskies an At Large bid. Fortunately, the Huskies were able to win the Pac 10 tournament down in Los Angels to get the Huskies 11 seed in last years NCAA Tournament.
The Huskies were able to get to the Sweet 16 and gave West Virginia a run for their money during that game. The Huskies made it clear during the tournament run that they would be the team to beat in the Pac 10 for years to come.
The Huskies though will likely not have the success they enjoyed last year if the Huskies get off to another slow start this year in the Pac 10. When I first saw the Pac 10 schedule in July my first thoughts were that the schedule played into the Huskies favor. The first four games the Huskies play will be games they were 1-3 last year. The Huskies after taking on the LA schools at LA will host the Oregon schools. The Huskies should easily be able to go 2-2 in these four games but could also easily go 3-1. The Huskies next few games will consist of a road trip to the Bay Area schools, Cal an Stanford. Then another short home stand against the Arizona schools. After that the Huskies will have a date with the Washington State Cougars in Pullman. The Huskies should aim for 4-1 during these five games but still should be okay with 3-2. The Huskies next four games will be at the Oregon schools and home to the Bay Area schools. No question about it but the Huskies should go 4-0 during these four games. The Huskies last five Pac 10 games will be between the Arizona schools on the road than a three game home stand to end the year against Washington State and the LA schools.. The Huskies should aim to go 4-1 during those five games putting the Huskies at a 13-5 Pac 10 record.
If you add that to the 8-3 record now, plus the assumed win over Seattle U on February 22. The Huskies will be 22-8 entering the Pac 10 tournament at the Staples Centre, which is one game better than last year. With the Pac 10 being stronger this year I expect the Huskies to be around a 7 seed entering the Tournament but at this point its hard to tell.
For the game its self tonight. The winner of the game tonight will be the team that controlls the tempo. USC is playing some good basketball right now as they beat Tennessee and lost to Kansas both on the road before Christmas.
The game plan tonight is simple for Washington tonight. Get C.J. Wilcox and Isaiah Thomas shooting the ball well and the Huskies win. However, the Huskies have been inconsistent shooting the ball all year and don't expect that to change. USC will play well and get offense from Jio Fonton and Nikola Vucevic. USC will be too big and too much for Washington and USC will win 75-59. Washington will struggle offensively all night.
No comments:
Post a Comment