Washington coach Lorenzo Romar is aware that his team's back is up against the wall. With a conference record at two games under .500, and just four games remaining, the time to win is now, and there is no margin for error.

The Huskies (16-10 overall, 6-8 Pac-10) will have a chance to make a run at an NCAA tournament bid when they take a weekend road trip through the Willamette Valley, playing Oregon State tonight at 6 p.m. and then at Oregon on Saturday at 7 p.m.

In order to get the wins necessary to stay in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament birth, the Huskies will have to overcome the disappointment of losing two games last week, both by a score of 65-61. Romar is not worried about his team's mental makeup, however.

"It's just adapting to the strengths of the team," said freshman Spencer Hawes. "We don't have the wins to show it, but we are really playing to our strengths. People are fitting into their roles better. We've been a lot more efficient and turned the corner."

The strength of the team has become more prevalent now then before, as Hawes and sophomore Jon Brockman have asserted themselves, prompting Romar to call his squad more of a van than a Corvette. His team has started to embrace the identity of a tough, bruising squad, rather than the scrappy one of past teams featuring guards like Brandon Roy and Nate Robinson.

With that established, the team must now look forward to playing the Beavers, without overlooking anyone.

"Knowing the other four teams we have to play," Brockman said. "These are all must-wins for us. We have to look at it like it's do-or-die right now."

Even though Washington has won six of the past seven in the series, the Beavers have given Romar's team fits at Gill Coliseum. Two years ago, they disrupted a strong UW team, beating the squad that would eventually earn a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament by nearly 20 points.

In the first meeting between the schools, OSU freshman Josh Tarver was the biggest weapon against the Huskies, scoring 22 points. His success was a result of the Huskies' effort to keep Oregon State's big men, Sasa Cuic and Marcel Jones from hurting them.

It worked the first time, with Washington winning big, 91-74, and should again be the focus.

"They're big and physical with us," Romar said. "There are certain things in their offense that we have to defend, and we have to take better care of the ball."

Cuic and Jones have been the focal point of coach Jay John's offense all season, scoring 12.5 and 15.1 points per game. They also like to do their damage from outside the 3-point line as much as inside, ranking first and second on the team in 3-point shots made, respectively.

Washington will have to come out confident and strong and prevent its opponents from getting the upper hand. With just two weeks remaining in the season, losses can no longer be accepted.

"We have to take care of our business," Romar said. "We have to go in and perform, bottom line. If we do then we feel the chips will fall in the right place."

Reach reporter Justin Chartrey at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.