Gameday Open Thread: USC at Washington Huskies
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 5:15 PM PST
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PrintUSC Trojans at Washington Huskies, Feb 18, 2010 7:30 PM PST
Just a few days removed from their hard-fought home victory over rival UCLA, the Trojans head north to take on the Washington Huskies, who trail 'SC by a half a game in the conference standings. Despite their lower ranking, the Huskies enter the game as the favorites after winning fives out of their last six games. Additionally, the game is taking place at Bank of American Arena in Seattle, a place where UW has had much success. From the Daily Trojan:
"[Washington's] energy at home in that building is unbelievable," USC coach Kevin O'Neill said. "The way they play at home is different. The second time around you play teams you change some things, and we'll definitely make some adjustments. We're going to have to make sure we control the tempo because if we play at their tempo we'll lose."
So far this season, the two teams have demonstrated polar opposites strengths. The Huskies, who average 81.1 points per game, enter tonight's matchup ranked first in the conference and 19th in the nation in scoring but second to last in points scored against per game. The Trojans, on the other hand, are second to last in the Pac-10 in scoring but continue to be ranked among the top-five teams nationally in defense, averaging only 56.4 points allowed per game.
But in terms of head-to-head success, the Trojans certainly have the upper hand this year.
The last meeting between the teams ended in a lopsided 87-61 victory for the Trojans, who turned the tables on the Huskies and dominated offensively. Senior forward Marcus Johnson led the Trojans with 22 points as he shot 82 percent from the field, and all five USC starters recorded double-digit point totals. Washington was unable to find its rhythm offensively, as senior Quincy Pondexter was held to two points on 1-for-10 shooting.
"I know [Pondexter] didn't have a great game last game, and I know at home he'll be looking to score," said Johnson. "He's athletic, he's strong and he's real versatile. It'll be a good matchup."
Washington isn't going to lose by 26 points this time. That much I can say. Are they going to beat the Trojans this time around and fully exercise their home-court advantage? I'm not so sure. Yes, they are certainly playing much better as the year goes along, but so is 'SC. Kevin O'Neill's bunch is doing a fantastic job at controlling the tempo and slowing the games down, which gives the Trojans a distinct advantage against teams like Washington. Yet, they still have yet to win a road game outside of Los Angeles so this will certainly be a challenging matchup for them. However, based on their most recent performances, you have to like their odds against a team that struggles on the defensive end of the floor.
Luckily, this game is being televised on Fox Sports Prime Ticket, so for all those Trojan fans across the country, come on and stop by for the gameday thread. I'll be here for most of it. It should be real fun.
Fight On!
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After getting swept in Oregon
I have no confidence in our road abilities. But, we can’t possibly finish 1-8 on the road, can we? Maybe we are due for a few breaks on the road.
If we lose tonight
It’s going to be because Washington is a better team and plays at their tempo. Hec will be a factor, but at this point in the season, I don’t anticipate being an overwhelming factor.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
Tipoff here we come
I expect to be losing a lot of traffic to the Lakers-Celtics game tonight.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Well, Pondexter has already matched his point total from the earlier game
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Turnovers already
Not good at all. Dumb pass by Stepheson.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Washington has to love the tempo right now - fast-paced
Washington now leads 8-2.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 7:42 PM PST up reply actions
The shot haven't been falling but Gerrity and company are getting good penetration.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
USC just 2-for-8 from the field
Need to pick it up shooting-wise
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Title for UCLA Recap on BN
Bruins Pick Up An Important By Destroying Cougars In Pullman
No comment
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Is there anything more exciting/confusing than a basket by Donte Smith?
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Commercial on FSN says tickets are available for the final two USC home games
Shocking!
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Not that I know of
I’ve had a hard time finding online links to the games this season
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 8:07 PM PST up reply actions
Kid Euro needs to hit the weights. Can't get pushed around like that.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
These guys are getting to the basket. Recipe for success.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
10 points, 4-of-7 from the field
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 8:09 PM PST up reply actions
It should
’SC is doing a great job at getting to the basket
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 8:14 PM PST up reply actions
Terrible pass by Gerrity...
but great job at drawing the charge on the other end
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Washington shooting under 40% at home. Great defense by 'SC.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Trojans up by 8 points at the half 32-24
Dwight Lewis has 16 points. ’SC in great shape.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Yup
Same group that also beat our Trojans and Notre Dame. They can play.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 8:30 PM PST up reply actions
Pretty impressive first half, but that’s been our story most of this season, get up early and then wilt a little. Hopefully they can keep up the attitude and finish this one off.
Not always
We trailed at Stanford and at Oregon.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 8:31 PM PST up reply actions
well I am going back and forth lakers to usc we look good Lewis is looking great
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 18, 2010 8:42 PM PST reply actions
Pondexter with the slam and the lead is now 8
Crowd back into it. Change of momentum?
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Since that play
It’s been +2 USC.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 8:56 PM PST up reply actions
So far tonight
Leonard has 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting and has 7 rebounds. I feel he needs a nickname.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Out of town scoreboard
Oregon State leading Cal 54-43 with 12 minutes left in the second half
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Another note
Stanford won at Oregon tonight. So long Ernie Kent.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 9:00 PM PST up reply actions
Whatever happened to Alex Stepheson?
He is 0-for- 2 tonight and really isn’t getting any minutes. LW seems to have replaced him in the rotation.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Agreed but...
he’s sorta been MIA the past few games
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 9:06 PM PST up reply actions
On the flip side
Nikola and Leonard have 8 points and 7 rebounds tonight
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 9:05 PM PST up reply actions
Washington cuts the lead to 9
This ain’t over yet
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
You don't shoot that shot with an eight point lead!
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
It's unraveling after 2 threes
Just a five point lead
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Huskies on a 13-2 run. Trojans need to pick it up.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Love the fact that he's extended his range this year
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 9:19 PM PST up reply actions
For the most part
Julio and Paul stopped by earlier. Laker game at the same time. Clearly, taking precedent in the Southland tonight.
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 9:22 PM PST up reply actions
Lack of depth is killing us!
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 9:21 PM PST up reply actions
Gerrity draws the block but very close to a charge
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Marcus Simmons is not the guy USC wants shooting a runner in the lane
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Gerrity plays so much better against man-to-man defense. It's remarkable!
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
These guys are playing their asses off!
I love them!
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Missed shot and Dwight gets to shoot some free throws
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Cheers to that!
--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog
by Joey Kaufman on Feb 18, 2010 9:40 PM PST up reply actions
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