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Win Three And You’re In? Washington Vs UCLA Game Information and Preview

By Mike Regalado

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Think of it this way, there is still a chance for the UCLA Bruins to make the NCAA Tournament. Seriously. Though the Bruins almost won both games in the desert and did not, not getting a split against Arizona and Arizona State is bad for their resume. But now they have to pull themselves up by their boot straps and start swinging as the Bruins have a three-game home stand to finsih out the regular season against the bottom three teams in the Pac-12 Conference. Starting with Washington on Wednesday, UCLA will try to go 3-0 with Washington State and USC left on the schedule.

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

Records:

Washington Huskies (15-11, 4-10) 

UCLA Bruins (16-12, 8-7)

Tip-Off: 8:00 p.m. PT

Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA

Capacity – 13,800

Tickets: UCLABruins.com

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KLAC AM 570 (Los Angeles)

On-line: TuneIn

Betting Line: UCLA -10.0

Projected Starting Line-ups:

Washington – Mike Anderson, Nigel Williams-Goss, Andrew Andrews, Jernard Jerreau, Shawn Kemp, Jr.

UCLA – Bryce Alford, Norman Powell, Isaac Hamilton, Kevon Looney, Tony Parker

Preview: Win the last three games and the Bruins could very well land a first round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament. That starts with a battle against the Washington Huskies, a team that at the beginning of the season looked like a dark horse in the Pac-12 during non-conference play. Washington started the season winning eleven in a row with a 11-1 record, which included very impressive wins against ranked San Diego State and Oklahoma.

But then the Pac-12 conference happened and the Huskies were quickly declawed. Washington started out losing four in a row, winning three and then losing seven straight. They only got their fourth win of the season this past Sunday when they beat in-state rival Washington State 87-84.

Feb 21, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5), guard Isaac Hamilton (10), center Thomas Welsh (40), guard Bryce Alford (20), and guard Norman Powell (4) huddle during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. The Wildcats won 57-47. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, if they do not change it up against UCLA, they are going to have a bad time.

As for the Bruins, though inconsistent, are surprisingly deadly on their home court. At Pauley Pavilion, UCLA is 13-1 this season and 6-0 in conference. They are a completely different beast. The frontcourt seems to consistently make outside shots, low post contributes (and stays out of foul trouble) as well as playing an exponentially improved style of defense then they do on the road.

I am not sure what it is, but I do not think that will change on Wednesday. With that, here are a few bold predictions:

  • Tony Parker returns for a double-double with at least ten points in the first half.
  • Kevon Looney will get his season high in points (approx. 30) or rebounds (approx. 20).
  • Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton with combine for more than ten 3-pointers.
  • Thomas Welsh will get at least 8 offensive rebounds.
  • Norman Powell will make Sports Center’s Top 10.

Prediction: Washington 58 – UCLA 79

GO BRUINS!