With the Pac-12 tournament bracket all set, the Washington Huskies will need a great performance if they are going to make the tournament—although it’s far from impossible.

The Huskies start their tournament with USC on March 13th. The Huskies path forward is not easy, with a new head coach on the horizon, things will look different in Las Vegas for the boys in Purple and Gold.

This team has the tools, and now, with nothing left to lose, Washington has a chance to completely cut loose.

What’s at stake is prolonging Hopkins’ time at Washington.  Lose to USC and they likely miss the NIT, win and they play again tomorrow—against Arizona.

Let’s take a look at what has to happen to face the Wildcats at noon on Thursday:

March 13th vs USC

The Huskies matchup with USC earlier this month was an unfortunate loss. When the game tipped off in Seattle, USC looked like one of the worst teams in the Pac-12, but they were picking up steam and unfortunately the Huskies couldn’t slow them down. The Washington defense had absolutely nothing to stop the duo of Isiah Collier and Boogie Ellis out of the Trojans’ back court.

The two combined for 48 points while the Huskies failed to give Keion Brooks and Koren Johnson the support they needed.

The keys to beating USC in the rematch will be limiting their ability to shoot the three, and getting points from the whole line-up.

USC’s win last time was sparked by an offensive explosion from the Trojans back court, and a relatively poor performance offensively for most of the Huskies.

There will need to be a step-up in performance if the Huskies are going to make a run at the tournament, but it is well within UW’s capability.

Key Match-ups:

PG: Koren Johnson vs Isaiah Collier

Size: Johnson 6’2″ 175lbs vs Collier 6’5″ 210lbs

PPG: Johnson 10.9 vs Collier 16.6

APG: Johnson 2.7 vs Collier 4.2

Note: Johnson entered the starting lineup against WSU and scored 23 points.

SG: Paul Mulcahy vs Boogie Ellis

Size: Mulcahy 6’6″ 213lbs vs Ellis 6’3″ 190lbs

PPG: Mulcahy 5.7 vs Ellis 16.6

3PT%: Mulcahy 31.3% vs Ellis 41.9%

Note: Mulcahy will have his hands full trying to compete with the Pac-12’s best 3-point shooter in Ellis

SF: Keion Brooks Jr. vs Kobe Johnson

Size: Brooks 6’7″ 210lbs vs Johnson 6’6″ 200lbs

PPG: Brooks 21.3 vs Johnson  10.7

3PT%: Brooks 39.5% vs Johnson 30.3%

Note: Brooks leads the conference in scoring and will need an above average night to take out the Trojans

F: Moses Wood vs DJ Rodman

Size: Wood 6’8″ 210lbs vs Rodman 6’6″ 225lbs

PPG: Wood 9.0 vs Rodman 8.6

3PT%: Wood 38.5% vs Rodman 38.1%

Note: Rodman, not Morgan is the best USC rebounder, comparing him with Husky sniper Moses Wood is not the best 1v1 match-up.

C: Braxton Meah vs Joshua Morgan

Size: Meah 7’1″ 250lbs vs Morgan 6’11” 225lbs

PPG: Meah 5.4 vs Morgan  5.6

RPG: Meah 5.5 vs Morgan 3.0

Note: When Meah is healthy he has flashed dominance, tonight will be about keeping him on the court.

6th man: Sahvir Wheeler vs Bronny James

Size: Wheeler 5’9″ 180lbs vs James 6’4″ 210lbs

PPG: Wheeler 14.1 vs James 4.8

APG: Wheeler 6.0 vs James 2.3

Note: The best pass first guard in the conference thrived when asked to come off the bench.

RealDawg’s Pick: Huskies Win 81-74

Brooks: 24 points

Collier: 22 points

Johnson: 19 points

Wheeler: 7 assists

Rodman: 7 rebounds