The Washington Huskies (14-11, 5-8 B1G) host the #6-rankedUSC Trojans (22-2, 7-6 B1G), on Sunday, February 16th @ 4PM (also on the B1G + Network).
Washington is currently averaging 72.6 points per game, while holding opponents to 64.6 points per game.
Washington is currently averaging 72.6 points per game, while holding opponents to 64.6 points per game.
The Huskies are shooting 36% on three-pointers overall; 32.8% on straightaway threes; and excellent 44.3% on corner threes.
The Huskies are shooting 36% on three-pointers overall; 32.8% on straightaway threes; and excellent 44.3% on corner threes.The Dawgs continue their high efficiency at-the-rim (within 4.5 feet) at 70.3% efficiency.
Washington’s scoring is now led by three players averaging over 10 points per game: junior guard Elle Ladine (16.0 points per game); sophomore guard Sayvia Sellers (averaging 15.9 ppg); and 6’4″ forward Dalayah Daniels (11.5 points per game).
Junior guard Hannah Stines averages 9.9 points per game.
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans average 82.7 points per game, while holding opponents to 56.8 points per game.
USC shoots only 33% on three-pointers overall; 32% on straightaway threes; and an excellent 34.9% on corner threes.
USC shoots only 33% on three-pointers overall; 32% on straightaway threes; and an excellent 34.9% on corner threes.The Trojans make 65.3% of their attempts at-the-rim (326 for 499).
USC is also 40% effective from further away inside-the-paint (5 feet or more).
USC shoots only 35.8% from the mid-range area (112 for 313 attempts).
The USC Trojans have two players averaging 10 points or more.
JuJu Watkins, a 6’2″ sophomore guard, is an All-American, National Player of the Year candidate and the Trojans leading scorer — averaging a team-leading 24.5 points per game; 6.8 rebounds; a team-leading 3.5 assists; 2.2 steals; and 1.9 blocks.
Watkins is a three-level scorer that is seemingly an unstoppable offensive force.
Watkins is a three-level scorer that is seemingly an unstoppable offensive force.Watkins shoots an excellent 34.2% from three-point range, including a scorching 46.2% on corner three-pointers; and 75% at-the-rim within 4.5 feet.
However, Watkins is a bit of a volume-shooter making 43.2% overall (on 180 for 428 attempts); 38.6% in-the-lane (from feet of further); and 36.4% from the mid-range.
KiKi Iriafen, a 6’3″ graduate forward, averages 17.8 points per game; along with 8.4 rebounds; 1.8 assists; 1.0 steals; and 0.6 blocks.
Iriafen is primarily a mid-range and at-the-rim scorer: shooting 37.9% from mid-range areas (36 for 95); and 62.4% at-the-rim within 4.5 feet (103 for 165).
Iriafen is primarily a mid-range and at-the-rim scorer: shooting 37.9% from mid-range areas (36 for 95); and 62.4% at-the-rim within 4.5 feet (103 for 165).Surprisingly, the athletic Iriafen is very good 50% three-point shooter on limited attempts (4 for 8) overall and 66.7% on straightaway threes (4 for 6).
The Trojans are a deep team offensively that features five other players that average 6 points or more: freshman 6’1″ guard Kennedy Smith (9.8 points); senior 6’4″ center Rayah Marshall (7.3 points); freshman 6’0″ guard Avery Howell (6.9 points); freshman 5’9″ guard Kayleigh Heckel (6.4 points); and graduate guard Talia von Oelhoffen, a native Washingtonian.
Talia von Oelhoffen, a 5’11” graduate guard, averages 2.8 points per game; 1.7 rebounds; 0.7 steals; and 0.5 assists.
The transfer from Oregon State, Von Oelhoffen, is known as a good three-point shooter, however at USC is only making 28.6% of her three-point attempts.
Von Oelhoffen has been a highly efficient two-point midrange scorer — shooting an excellent 62.5% in the mid-range area ( on limited attempts, 10 for 16).
Talia Von Oelhoffen is an efficient 54.9% on all two-point attempts overall (28 for 51).
Von Oelhoffen has struggled at-the-rim within 4.5 feet (56%); but is a decent 40% scorer from further away in the paint.
To secure the victory over USC, the UW Huskies will need to:
(1) out-rebound USC in total rebounds (a whopping 42.7 rebounds per game vs 34.8 per game by UW), while limiting their offensive rebounds (13.8 per game by the Trojans);
(2) tally more team assists than the Trojans (USC averages 17.5 assists per game vs. 14.1 assists by UW);
(3) efficiently execute Washington’s offense to limit turnovers to 10 or less (UW averages 15.5 per game), while forcing 10 or more turnovers by USC (the Trojans average 14.9 per game);
(4) make at least 33% of the Huskies’ three-point attempts — with at least ten (10) made threes; and
(5) prevent JuJu Watkins from scoring 30 or more points and having her way against the Huskies defenders.
Huskies Win Probability: 10%
USC is a deep and talented team that is going to test the Washington Huskies to play at a fast pace and efficiently execute both offensively and defensively. In addition, the Trojans have an elite head coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, who will test the ability of UW head coach Tina Langley to gameplan and make adjustments on the fly. The Huskies will need to play under control and dictate tempo to win this game.
GO HUSKIES!
