Unlike most media prognosticators and all the fans at home convinced they know better, I won’t try to pretend I’m a member of the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

I won’t try to argue that three wins in the Pac-10 Tournament — which would give the Huskies a five-game winning streak, including four over-ranked opponents — might be enough to satisfy the team’s ultimate goal.

I’m not smart enough to psychoanalyze all the possible circumstances that might be. For me, it all comes down to winning the Pac-10 Tournament.

From what I saw last week, however, I will contend that this Washington team isn’t going to lose its next game. For now, that is all that matters.

Last week, the Huskies hosted two of the conference’s best, and

arguably the nation’s best. For their efforts, both No. 2 UCLA and No. 23 USC suffered double-digit defeats, and now rest back home in Los Angeles licking the wounds.

It was a dominant performance the country has been expecting all season. At the beginning of the season, a home sweep of the L.A. schools would have appeared to give Washington a shot at the Pac-10 title.

Instead, the wins meant little on paper. Washington finished the season 8-10 in the conference, and no team with a losing Pac-10 record has ever made the NCAA Tournament.

Year-long underachievement aside, the postseason for the Huskies starts in two days.

And no team in the Pac-10 wants or needs this tournament more than the Dawgs.

“It’s a joy to watch, as we’ve had our struggles this year, we’ve been up and down, to see things perhaps start to come together,” said coach Lorenzo Romar.

And come together they have.

Just a month ago, Washington traveled to Tucson, Ariz., and got blown out by 30 to the Wildcats. Last week during two of the most physical games of the year, when pushed they push back. In the face of opponent runs and adversity, they remained resolved and disciplined.

“Our guys weathered the storm and really came together,” Romar said. “I don’t know if we would’ve been able to that a month and a half ago.”

When fighting for a loose ball on Saturday, I saw four Huskies throw themselves to the floor in succession — an effort that illustrates the maturation of the team more than any box score could.

I think it’s safe to say no team wants to play the UW — a team desperate to prove themselves — next week.

With a tireless effort now being executed on both ends of the court, we can see the collective defensive effort peaking.

With Justin Dentmon and Ryan Appleby taking it upon themselves to perform, the collective guard play is peaking.

With the wins, the confidence and momentum are peaking, and at just the right time. There is absolutely no room for error this week.

If it’s going to be done, it has to be done now. No regrets, no excuses, just results.

Against all the odds, a Syracuse team with nothing to lose and all to gain shocked the college basketball world with an epic conference tournament run last year.

Make no mistake — if this team believes, it can happen.

Reach columnist Joshua Mayers at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.