Washington Huskies vs. USC: 5 Factors That Could Decide the Outcome
By Paul Taylor
As the Washington Huskies wrap up their eight-game homestand, we take a look at some of the key facts and figures which could impact the game against USC.
Just two days removed from their enthralling double overtime win versus UCLA, the Washington Huskies are still on a high. However, in the world of sports, there’s always someone just around the corner, ready to knock you off your perch.
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The Huskies face such a challenge on Sunday, as they prepare to take on USC. With a record of 12-2, the Trojans will provide a tough opponent for Washington, as they look to carry over the momentum from Friday’s victory.
USC is in a rich vein of form right now, with seven straight victories. Meanwhile, the Huskies will be looking to end their eight-game homestand on a winning note.
This contest provides another opportunity for Lorenzo Romar’s men to prove their credentials. Here are five factors that could help determine the outcome:
1) Head-to-head
Officially speaking, the Huskies lead the all-time series 70-68. However, this takes into account two USC wins that were wiped out from 2008, due to NCAA penalities.
In respect of recent meetings, the Huskies have won five of the last eight games. Washington has also won the last three encounters at Alaska Airlines Arena, which is where the action takes place on Sunday.
2) Coaching match-up
Lorenzo Romar is 15-9 all-time against USC. Meanwhile, Andy Enfield is 1-1 versus the Huskies and has an overall record of 6-31 against Pac-12 opponents.
This match-up should provide the biggest challenge yet for Romar against USC. After going 23-41 during his first two years in charge, Enfield has the Trojans off to a fantastic start this season, with a 12-2 record.
3) The last time
The previous encounter between the Huskies and USC, took place last season at the Galen Center. The Trojans broke the game open with a 18-7 run to start the second half, on the way to a 70-55 win.
Washington had a season-low 29.7 shooting percentage, and were not helped by playing without Shawn Kemp Jr. and Nigel William-Goss, who was their top scorer and Pac-12 assist leader. USC enters Sunday’s game as 1.5 point favorites.
4) Scoring
The Huskies are off to an excellent start this season, ranking 22nd in the nation by averaging 84.1 points per game. They have four players averaging double figures, with all eight of their top rotation having scored 10+ points at least once this season.
Meanwhile, the Trojans have been pretty impressive themselves, currently tied for 24th in the country with a scoring rate 83.6 points per contest. Furthermore, all five of their starters are averaging 10+ points per game.
5) Andrew Andrews
Sticking with scoring, Andrews is key to the Huskies hopes, as he proved on Friday against UCLA by matching a career-high with 35 points. He has four career 30+ scoring games in his career, with three of them coming this season.
The Washington guard has 24 straight double-digit scoring games, which is the fifth-longest streak in the nation and the longest by any player in a Power Five Conference. Additionally, he has 54 assists so far this season, putting him well on course to surpass his current career-best of 83 from his sophomore year.