UCLA Basketbal Vs. Washington: TV Schedule, Game Info And Preview
February 27, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) attempts a three point basket against Oregon Ducks forward Elgin Cook (23) during the overtime period at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
An awkward Pac-12 schedule leads to an already awkward end to the Pac-12 season as the UCLA Bruins (22-7, 11-5) travel north to face the Washington Huskies (16-13, 8-8).
TV: ESPN2
Location: Hec Edmundson Pavilion, Seattle, WA
Tip-Off: 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET
Odds: UCLA -4.0
Preview: There is a whole lot going on with this game, so let’s just hit the bullet points.
-A very weird Pac-12 schedule has not yet matched-up these two teams and has set their first and only batle for the last weekend of Pac-12 conference play. Thanks, Pac-12.
-UCLA has split every road trip this season. If the trend continues, the Bruins will beat Washington and lose to Washington State, but I am sure UCLA and head coach Steve Alford are not concerned about that… yet.
-The Bruins won last year in Seattle after eight years of getting beat by the hometown Huskies.
-UW and UCLA were once the two toughest teams in the Pac-10/12, but Washington is at its worst it has been in the Lorenzo Romar era. Barring a Pac-12 tournament championship win that gets them into the Big Dance, the Huskies might just see the last of coach Romar.
-Washington is shooting .447 from the field, 151st in the nation. UCLA is shooting .489, 15th in the nation
-Washington’s senior leading scorer is C.J. Wilcox, who is fifth in the conference in scoring with 18.2 points per game.
-The Huskies do have their moments, as they did on the last game, beating in-state rival Washington State, 72-49.
-UCLA has struggled in their last three games. A loss at Stanford, a suspension induced defeat to the lowly Oregon Ducks and a come from behind victory against a mediocre Oregon State team at home has put the Bruins in a bit of a funk. Not exactly the situation you want to be in right before tournament season.
So ultimately, how are the Bruins going to do against the Huskies? Well, if this was any other year, it might be curtains for UCLA travelling north, but because it comes at a time were Washington is struggling, the Bruins should come out with a win.
Prediction: UCLA 77 – Washington 74
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco