On Tuesday at 4pm, the Huskies play the Oregon State Beavers on the road at Gill Coliseum.
A huge opportunity to score a win over an Oregon State program that climbed its way to the perennial elite of the PAC-12, including yearly national Top 25 rankings.
In many ways, Oregon State resembles what the Washington Women’s Basketball program is striving to become.
However, Oregon State has surprisingly hit hard times this season.
The Beavers are looking to end a five game losing streak that is the program’s longest since 2013.
On Sunday, the Beavers lost at home in double overtime to Washington State.
Due to a three-week COVID scare, Washington looked a bit winded and out of playing shape in their Sunday game versus Oregon.
Yet this may be the Huskies best chance to beat the Beavers in Head Coach Jody Wynn’s UW tenure.
OFFENSE – Advantage Beavers
OSU is slightly better on offense than the Huskies; averaging 68.3 points per game versus UW’s 61.7 ppg.
OSU shoots 41.6% overall from the field; while the Huskies are shooting 39.3% overall.
The schools are virtually identical from two-point range as the Beavers shoot 45.5% versus UW’s 45.8%.
However, the Beavers’ offense is much better at shooting threes — the Beavers make 35% versus the Huskies 28.4% from three-point range.
DEFENSE – DRAW
On defense is where the Huskies may have a very slight advantage over the Beavers.
The Dawgs hold their opponents to 64.5 points per game versus the Beavers alllowing opponents 71.7 points.
However, Oregon State holds its opponents to 37.1% shooting overall; meanwhile, the Huskies allow 41.6% shooting by their opponents.
Two-point defense versus three-point defense is where the teams differ most defensively.
Oregon State is a tougher defense against two-point attempts, holding opponents to 36.3% shooting from two-point range (11th best nationally). The Huskies two-point defense isn’t nearly as tough, allowing opponents to shoot 49.6% from two-point range.
But the Huskies are tougher three-point defenders than the Beavers.
UW holds opponents to 28.9% shooting from three-point range.
The Ducks, however, allow their opponents to make 38.5% from three-point range.
REBOUNDS – DRAW
Oregon State averages five (5) more total rebounds per game (39.4) than the Huskies (34.4).
The Dawgs are better offensive rebounders, averaging 12.7 offensive rebounds versus the Beavers 8.7 offensive rebounds.
On the defensive boards, the Beavers are superior rebounders averaging 30.7 defensive rebounds versus UW’s 21.7 defensive rebounds.
TURNOVERS – Draw
Both teams average 16 turnovers per game.
PREDICTION: This game will be decided (1) at the three-point line, as the Beavers superior three-point shooting will test the Huskies superior three-point defense; (2) on the boards, as particularly offensive rebounding and second-chance opportunities will likely create a big difference in the game; and (3) if one team can limit its turnovers below their average and create 20 or more turnovers.
Expect the Huskies to win a close game against the Beavers with their three-point defense and by creating more than 20 turnovers.
