Floyd thinks his team is up to the challenge

Could this be the night USC finally conquers Bank of America Arena, Washington’s raucous home court that has been something of a Trojans torture chamber in recent seasons?

The Huskies blasted USC by 30 points in Seattle in 2005, and two years ago things got so out of hand that USC Coach Tim Floyd inserted walk-ons Greg Gaudino and Reed Doucette -- with the Trojans actually playing better for a stretch.

Then there was last year. During a season in which Washington finished seventh in the Pacific 10 Conference and USC advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, the Huskies still handed the Trojans a double-digit defeat on their home court.

“It’s a new team, and hopefully we’ll play better than we have,” Floyd said.

The trends would seem to favor USC. Washington has already lost four home games -- twice as many as last season -- and the Trojans are 5-2 on the road, with quality victories over UCLA and Oregon.

Floyd cited his team’s road victory over South Carolina in November as one that showed the Trojans how to excel in a hostile environment.

“We played very well over there early on, defended well, game-planned well, got to the foul line, kept the other team off the foul line,” he said. “We have played some very good teams on the road and it’s only going to get tougher with the ones that we have remaining.”

Sophomore guard Taj Gibson said the Trojans play well on the road because “we don’t have distractions. We just watch film all day in the hotel and get ready for the game.”

Clinging to faint NCAA tournament hopes, Washington hopes to get a boost from playing at an arena where it has won 66 of its last 74 games. A Huskies victory might hinge on them becoming the first Pac-10 team to outshoot USC this season, because they are 1-9 when their opponent shoots for a higher percentage.

Washington shot only 33.3%, including 22.2% from three-point range, during its 66-51 loss against the Trojans on Jan. 12 at the Galen Center. Huskies senior guard Ryan Appleby missed all five of his three-point attempts, an aberration for a player who is shooting 43.8% from three-point range at home.

“He’s hurt us more times than he hasn’t in our games with them,” Floyd said.

Sophomore guard Daniel Hackett participated in non-contact drills during practice Wednesday and his availability to play tonight is expected to be a game-time decision, trainer Bobby Walls said.

“He’s looking a lot better today, more mobile,” Walls said of Hackett, who played 18 minutes against Arizona State on Saturday in his first game since sustaining a bruised pelvis. “He was good tolerating everything we did, so it’s just see how he reacts [today].”

If Hackett is unable to play or is severely limited, Floyd said the Trojans might play some zone defense “because you typically don’t foul as much.”

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TONIGHT

at Washington, 7, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Bank of America Arena, Seattle.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- USC 14-7, 5-4; Washington 12-10, 3-6.

Update -- Forward Davon Jefferson returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out because of flu-like symptoms.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com