Washington Faces UCLA in High-Stakes Rematch

For first-year Washington coach Danny Sprinkle, January has been nothing short of grueling. The Huskies (10-9, 1-7 Big Ten) have endured five straight losses, all against ranked opponents, making their upcoming Friday matchup against the UCLA Bruins (13-6, 4-4) another daunting test.

A Brutal Stretch for the Huskies

Calling January “a month from hell,” Sprinkle remains proud of his team’s resilience despite their struggles. After kicking off the month with a solid 75-69 win over Maryland, the Huskies have faced one powerhouse after another, including Michigan State, Purdue, and Oregon.

“This program has never seen anything like this January schedule,” Sprinkle said. “It’s been brutal, but I’m proud of our guys for not making excuses. They’ve kept their heads up.”

On Tuesday, Washington fought hard against No. 15 Oregon but fell short in an 82-71 loss. Great Osobor delivered a strong performance with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, though the team couldn’t overcome Oregon’s firepower.

UCLA Finds Its Groove

The Bruins have also weathered their share of ups and downs. After a four-game skid that knocked them out of the rankings, UCLA has bounced back in impressive fashion, securing a 94-70 win over Iowa and a tight 85-83 victory over No. 18 Wisconsin.

When these two teams met earlier this season in their Big Ten opener, UCLA emerged victorious with a 69-58 win at Pauley Pavilion. In that matchup, Sebastian Mack and Tyler Bilodeau each posted 16 points, while Osobor led Washington with 14 points, nine rebounds, and a season-worst eight turnovers.

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What to Expect in the Rematch

Despite their recent struggles, the Huskies continue to show fight, as highlighted by their strong start against Oregon earlier this week. UCLA coach Mick Cronin knows his team can’t afford to take Washington lightly.

“Regardless of their results, their defense and spirit are impressive,” Cronin said. “They’re athletic, have size, and led most of the game at Oregon. We’ll need to be ready.”

The Bruins will lean on their renewed confidence and balanced scoring to build on their momentum. For the Huskies, this rematch offers a chance to regain confidence, end their losing streak, and turn a tough season around.