Preview: UW WBB Huskies Face #11-Ranked USC on the Road

The Washington Huskies travel to Los Angeles to face #11-ranked USC on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

The Washington Huskies (12-5 overall, 2-4 PAC) face the #11-ranked USC Trojans (14-3 overall; 4-3 PAC) on Sunday, January 28th at 12PM Pacific.

The video broadcast of the matchup between the Huskies and Bruins will be streaming on Washington Livestream; and streaming audio at LISTEN TO HUSKIES RADIO CALL.

In their last game before facing Washington, USC beat Washington State, 70-62, on Friday.

DAWGS vs TROJANS

SERIES HISTORY

The USC Trojans lead the series, 56-20, over Washington.

Next season, Washington and USC both move to the B1G Conference, so this series will likely continue.

Trojans Offense

The USC Trojans offense averages 74.3points per game; while the Huskies defense is holding opponents to 53.8 points per game.

USC is good three-point shooting team at 36.3% accuracy from beyond the arc; and they are high volume three-point shooters, as well.

USC is averaging 21.4 three-point attempts per game (Top 29% nationally).

Currently, the Huskies are holding opponents to 26.5% shooting from three-point range.

The Trojans make 47.7% of their two-point attempts.

Three Trojans players average 10 points or more per game, but there is one main threat.

The performance of JuJu Watkins, a 6’0″ Freshman guard, will determine the outcome of this game.

Already on the short list of Player of the Year candidates, Watkins is USC’s leading scorer at 26.3 points per game; along with 7.0 rebounds, 3.3. assists, 2.6 steals and 1.8 blocks.

As goes JuJu, so goes the Trojans.

JuJu Watkins with 32 points 3 blocks 3 steals 3 assists & 10 rebounds in the win over 2nd ranked UCLA! @Jujubballin pic.twitter.com/A0Y9RtJLdk

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) January 15, 2024

Watkins is capable of scoring 30 plus points, if the Huskies do not find an answer for her defensively.

McKenzie Forbes is a 6’0″ guard (grad student) and the Bruins second-leading scorer at 13.8 points per game; along with 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

McKenzie Forbes with this offensive bag my goodness pic.twitter.com/NBVR0EVjJw

— Nick Andre (@NickAndreATR) January 1, 2024

Rayah Marshall is a 6’4″ center and USC’s third-leading scorer at 10.6 points per game; along with 9.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Marshall is an elite defensive post presence.

https://twitter.com/MG_Schindler/status/1743492855627219336

Washington Defense

The Washington Huskies will need to disrupt the USC offense by:

(1) slowing the pace of the game with stifling halfcourt defense to prevent USC’s JuJU Watkins and McKenzie Forbes from getting to the lane with dribble penetration;

(2) playing tough transition defense to limit easy scores and further slow the pace of the game; and

(3) be physical defensively in-the-paint and on the boards to limit USC’s offensive boards and second chance opportunities.

Washington Offense

The Huskies are currently averaging 32.8% accuracy from three-point range.

UW has seven players shooting 31.5% or better from beyond the arc :

Chloe Briggs (39.1%);
Elle Ladine (37.0%);
Jayda Noble (33.3%);
Hannah Stines (35.5%);
Teagan Brown (33.3%)
Sayvia Sellers(31.6%); and
Lauren Schwartz (31.5%);

Washington’s offense is also very efficient from close range, averaging 60.1% within 4.5 feet of the rim; but only 40.3% from further out in the lane.

Overall, 53.5% of the UW Huskies made shots are the result of their 13.3 assists per game.

Prediction: Huskies struggle to remain close (either a close low-scoring game or a huge loss.)
Washington is a huge underdog. The Dawgs will have to control the tempo and limit turnovers to remain in this game for 40 minutes; and have a chance to win a close game over USC in the final minutes.

GO DAWGS!