Washington’s 12 team blocks carried the Huskies to a 72-40 win, over the USC Trojan Sunday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.
“We made a statement. Now teams are going to have to pick their poison on how to beat us,” Huskies guard Quade Green said after Washington forced 21 turnovers in the win. “You can’t get nothing down low (against us). You’re going to have to shoot that 15-footer at the free-throw line. That’s probably what you’re going to get. You don’t get too much down there (in the paint). And not too many second chances either.”
Green finished second on the Huskies with 14 points (6-for-10 field goals) while knocking down 2-of-5 of his three-point shots.
“We came out with a 30-point win today, so we had to make a statement because we can’t lose twice (in one weekend) at our home court,” Green added.
STEWART CONTINUES TO SHINE
Isaiah Stewart continues to be the backbone of the Huskies offense this season, providing physical post-play the Huskies are hoping will take them back to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament for the second consecutive year after an eight-year hiatus. Stewart had another stellar game recording a double-double as he led all scorers with 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in the win.
“They had a great focus and they had great energy,” Washington coach Mike Hopkins said of his team’s defense in shutting down USC. “Those are the two things that you have to go and play like that – with good focus and good energy.”
“Everyone who came off the bench impacted the game. That was because of focus and energy, and I was just really happy with the performance.”
“Everyone who came off the bench impacted the game. That was because of focus and energy, and I was just really happy with the performance.”
The Huskies entered Sunday night’s meeting with USC (12-3, 1-1 conference) trying to right themselves and snap out of a two-game losing streak before heading on the road next weekend.
Washington (11-4, 1-1) improved its impressive home record to 8-2 at the Alaska Airlines Arena.
“I give all credit to my guys today in being able to find me in certain spots and being able to bring energy and to bring that spark to the game,” said Nate Roberts who finished with seven points and seven rebounds in his return.
Stewart out-muscled and out-hustled the Trojans as the Huskies top scorer was imposing down on the block coming away with key blocks and rebounds to keep Washington’s foot on the pedal in their pummeling of USC.
Jaden McDaniel scored (11 points) and led the Huskies with a team-high six blocks, Nahziah Carter scored nine points, four blocks and Stewart finished with two blocks.
“We have a good energy team. An energy management team,” Hopkins said. “It’s all about that energy, and with young players, they’re still learning that. So (we are) in the dog-days of the year – it’s a long season, so its how do we keep it fresh. How do we keep it fun, and how do we keep moving it forward.”
With the season kicking into high-gear moving forward, having a showcase against a good offensive team like USC should put the Huskies on a high while giving opposing conference team’s something to worry about once they take the floor against Washington.
Washington will embark on a two-game road trip next weekend starting with a trip to the farm to face the Stanford Cardinal (12-2, 1-0) on Thursday then close out the short trip at California (6-8, 0-1) on Saturday.
