The UCLA Bruins have tied their longest losing streak of the season by losing two straight games. That means that tonight’s game is the perfect way to end that losing streak. After all, the Bruins crushed the Huskies by 25 points when the teams met in Seattle.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that tonight’s game will be as easy but it is worth mentioning that the New Year’s Day win over Washington has been the UCLA’s easiest conference win this season.
Since playing the Bruins to start 2023, the Huskies have gone 4-4. Three of those four losses have come against the Arizona schools. Washington was swept by them on the road but they split against them last weekend when the Huskies topped the Sun Devils but then lost to the Wildcats on Saturday.
The fourth loss came against Utah on the road while two of their three other wins have come at home against Stanford and UC Berkeley. That means their only conference road win came against Colorado.
Again, though, it doesn’t guarantee a cake walk tonight.
When the Huskies played Arizona in Tucson, they only lost by three. Yet, the Wildcats crushed them in Seattle last weekend by 23 points.
In that loss, Keion Brooks, Jr. led the way with 25 points while Keyon Minifield put up 21. Noah Williams was the only other Husky in double figures with 10 points.
It’s worth noting that, after UCLA beat the Huskies by 25 points at home, that Washington followed that game up by losing to Arizona by just three points on the road.
Now, Mike Hopkins’ squad finds themselves in a similar situation again. They are headed on the road to face one of the best teams in the conference after being crushed at home by one of the other best teams in the conference.
As a result, I won’t be the least bit surprised if UCLA finds themselves playing the team that lost to Arizona by just three points on the road, rather than the team which was destroyed by the Bruins and the Wildcats at home.
Ultimately, though, UCLA should win this one pretty easily and, having had a week off to recover from back-to-back losses, I expect Mick Cronin’s team to play with some ferocity tonight.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on FS1 with Alex Faust and Casey Jacobsen calling the game. If you prefer, you can listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray. Just be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Washington Huskies game thread. Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
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We're off to a good start, as expected. It's the second half that we need to really monitor (although it should not be as much of a problem against UDub)
They are playing with so much more purpose tonight. It is not just that Washington is not as good as SC or Ariz. Bruins are making good decisions, moving their feet on Defense better and have much better court presence.
U - Clap! Clap!
A lot of traffic outside Pauley tonight. Looks to be a good crowd. The Bruins will be back!
Hello fellow Bruins - Here's to a great game by our guys. We'll see if Cronin's practice focus this week helps.
I just want 35 minutes of quality play tonight on both ends of the court… too much to ask? 😀
Bailey's starting - ready to go.
1Great effort Jaylen. Good omen
c'mon Bruins, calm down and hit those shots! Tygerrr, missed 3!
Bailey looking good. Welcome back!
Bailey spin for 2!
Amari makes a significant difference.
Stick it, Bailey!
Clark is hobbling to the bench. Oh no...
That shot was too open.
Trgrrr steals for 2!
Jaime!
That is more like the JJ we know and love.
UW defends poorly and has poor shot selection. We should cruise.
We're off to a good start, as expected. It's the second half that we need to really monitor (although it should not be as much of a problem against UDub)
OK guys - we have had lots of starts like this with good BB and intensity. Need it for 35 minutes.
Muscle showing we're up 12-4 after 5.5 minutes.
Good ball movement, nlce high post feed by Andrews
JJ two in a row. Good news.
Tyger just broke that Huskie's ankles!
Tyger with the floater!
Pretty Tygrrr for 2!
Maybe Clark is looking at the basket tonight!
We're dominating the boards, with 10 so far to their 5
Jaylen! 18 to 8 us!
Good start - should get the w tonight, but it’s really gonna be about the quality over the whole game
Scoring inside again, as we do.
That was pretty
JJ on fire. Much better passing tonight.
Shooting 67% right now. No letting up in the second half.
Jaime! It's good to see him hitting again.
They've no answer for bona tonight; he should dominate both halves.
Love Bon's effort and all out hustle.
Good to see the offensive rebounds
Bona with both foul shots. Way to go!
Bona hustle!
What beautiful ball movement! 24-8
Great pass!!!
Bpppppnnnnnaaaaa!
Bona blocks and dunks!
So far we have 22 points in the paint, as opposed to their 6 points.
They are playing with so much more purpose tonight. It is not just that Washington is not as good as SC or Ariz. Bruins are making good decisions, moving their feet on Defense better and have much better court presence.
O-reb Bailey!
Bailey has hops.
We have gotten a little lazy.
Detecting some back sliding
Need to come out of the timeout with renewed purpose.