The undefeated #21-ranked Washington Huskies (8-0) go on the road to face the #16-ranked USC Trojans on Sunday, December 7th at 5pm PST.
Washington Huskies Preview
After a home victory over San Jose State on Monday, the undefeated Dawgs face their toughest challenge, so far, versus an elite program in the USC Trojans.
Washington’s offense currently averages 74.3 points per game (ranked #83 nationally); while Washington’s defense holds opponents to 48.3 points per game (currently ranked #2 in the nation).
The Huskies are highly efficient scoring at the rim (within 4.5 feet) making 63.6% (124 of 195) of their shots.
However, Washington is now shooting 32% from three-point range, which still needs improvement to meet the Huskies expected standard for a season average (37% last season).
Junior point guard Sayvia Sellers, leads the Huskies offense with a team-leading 19.1 points per game; a team-leading 3.9 assists per game; as well as a team-leading 1.8 steals per game.
Sayvia is shooting a red-hot 37% (17 for 46) from three-point range; while making 63.9% (39 for 61) of her two-point attempts; including, converting 80.6% (29 for 36) at the rim within 4.5 feet, as well as 47.1% farther away in the lane.
Notably, for the first time this season, the Huskies now boast three Husky players averaging double figures in points.
6’0″ guard Avery Howell, is the Huskies second leading scorer with 12.1 points per game.
Howell is the Huskies leading sharp-shooter from three-point range, making 39.5% (17 for 43) from deep.
Avery Howell also leads the Huskies in rebounding with 6.9 rebounds per game; and is third in steals with 1.3 per game.
Freshman forward Brynn McGaughy is now the Huskies third leading scorer at 10.1 points per game.
Finally, senior guard Elle Ladine is currently the Huskies fourth-leading scorer at 8.5 points per game but looks to increase her offensive contribution — Ladine averaged 17.1 points for the 2024-25 season.
If Ladine can make a significant offensive contribution, it could tip the balance of the game.
USC Trojans Preview
The USC Trojans are coming off a home victory over Saint Mary’s, 79-33 (after wins vs. Pepperdine, Tennessee Tech, Portland, NC State and New Mexico State; and losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina).
Despite the two losses, the Trojans come to the contest with Washington battle-tested against elite programs.
The Trojans program’s recent success includes NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 (versus UCONN) and 2025 (versus NC State), as the #15 seed both times.
On offense, USC averages 73.9 points per game (ranks #87 nationally); while the Trojans defense holds opponents to 53.3 points per game (ranked #20 in the nation).
The Trojans are most efficient scoring at the rim (within 4.5 feet) making 58.4% (94 of 161) of their shots; while making 42.9% (42 for 98) from farther away in the lane.
USC shoots a respectable 33% from three-point range (59 for 178); as well as 47.8% on all two-point attempts.
The Trojans defense will be a challenge to Washington because USC features multiple excellent to elite man-to-man defenders
The Trojans defense will be a challenge to Washington because USC features multiple excellent to elite man-to-man defendersUSC Trojans
The USC Trojans feature three players averaging double figures in scoring.
The Trojans are led by 6’1 wing guard Jazzy Davidson – a do-everything freshman phenom that will often dominate the ball on offense.
Davidson is averaging a team-leading 16.0 points per game; as well as a team-leading 6.4 rebounds per game; a team-leading 4.3 assists; and a team-leading 2.4 blocks per game; and a team-leading 1.9 steals.
Davidson is most effective scoring in-the-paint, converting 63% at the rim (14 for 22); as well as 54.8% from farther away in the lane.
However, Jazzy Davidson is a subpar three-point shooter at only 24% accuracy (12 for 50) from deep range.
Davidson also commits a team-leading 3.4 turnovers per gamer with a high turnover to assist ratio of 1.26 (242nd in the nation).
Kennedy Smith, a 6’1″ sophomore guard, scores a fourth-leading 9.6 points per game; as well as contributing a third-leading 4.1 rebounds; a second-leading 3.6 assists per game; a third-leading (tied) 1.8 steals; and a second-leading 1.0 block per game.
The most efficient scorer on the Trojans roster, 5’11” senior guard Kara Dunn is the Trojans second-leading scorer at 12.8 points per game; as well as the Trojans team-leading three-point shooter at 43.3% (13 for 30).
Dunn also shoots 56.8% on her two-point attempts and 51.4% from the field overall.
Dunn is also the Trojans second-leading rebounder at 5.3 per game; plus a third-leading 1.8 steals per game.
Dunn is also the Trojans second-leading rebounder at 5.3 per game; plus a third-leading 1.8 steals per game.The Trojans third-leading scorer at 11.8 points is 5’4″ guard Londynn Jones.
Jones is best known as a three-point specialist and is making 39.5% of her three-point attempts (15 for 38).
In addition to being a long distance sharp-shooter, Jones is third-leading in assists with 2.3 per game; and fourth in steals with 1.0 per game.
Junior 5″4″ guard Malia Samuels, is a defensive specialist contributing a team-leading 1.9 steals per game; and a fourth-leading 1.9 assists (but only 3.9 points per game).
Junior 5″4″ guard Surprisingly, Samuels is 40% three-point shooter on limited attempts (4 for 10).
Most importantly, expect Samuels to get a shot at defensively containing Sayvia Sellers, the Huskies explosive point guard.
To secure the upset victory over the USC Trojans, the UW Huskies will need to disrupt the Trojans by:
(1) aggressively defending Jazzy Davidson with multiple schemes and UW defenders (e.g., Hannah Stines, Teagan Brown, Sayvia Sellers and Avery Howell) and be willing to concede her three-point shot (24%), while defending against her mid-range pullup and dribble-drives to the lane;
(2) using Sayvia Sellers’ aggressive and physical offensive style to attack the USC defense with her dribble-drive (especially against USC’s leading scorers Davidson, Londynn Jones, Kennedy Smith and Kara Dunn) to draw fouls and wear them down;
(3) holding their own rebounding-wise on both ends, with big contributions from Avery Howell, Brynn McGaughy and Yulia Grabovskaia;
(4) playing tough and physical on-ball and off-ball pressure defense to disrupt USC’s best three-point perimeter shooters, Kara Dunn and Londynn Jones, while keeping pace with three-point scoring of their own — led by Sellers, Howell and possibly Elle Ladine;
(5) efficiently executing the Huskies offense by limiting Washington’s turnovers to 12 or less; and
(6) matching or exceeding USC’s inside-the-paint scoring, with a target of 30 or more points-in-the-paint total by the Huskies.
As a program that has eyes on an NCAA tournament run this season, this game is a great litmus test for the undefeated Huskies to gauge their progress.
Elle Ladine may prove to be a decisive wildcard, as she continues to work back into the Husky offense after prolonged injury.
The Dawgs must efficiently execute on both offense and defense to secure a huge road upset victory.
Huskies Win Probability: 47%
GO DAWGS!
