Washington trying to keep spirits up ahead of rematch with UCLA

Field Level Media|published: Thu 23rd January, 19:37 2025

Dec 3, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Huskies forward Great Osobor (1) shoots the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) and center Aday Mara (15) in the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

First-year Washington coach Danny Sprinkle has called his team's January schedule "a month from hell."

It's hard to argue, with the Huskies having suffered five consecutive defeats -- all to ranked teams.

It won't get much easier Friday night when the Huskies (10-9, 1-7 Big Ten) play host to UCLA in Seattle. The Bruins (13-6, 4-4) were ranked as high as No. 15 earlier this season before a four-game skid dropped them out of the polls.

"This program has never seen anything like the month of January that we've went through," Sprinkle said. "It's been brutal, but I'm proud of the way our guys have gotten through it. Now we're not all the way through it. And it's even going to be hell in February too with some of our trips. ... I'm proud of our guys for not making excuses. I can make excuses for them, but they haven't."

After opening the month with a 75-69 victory over visiting Maryland, which was first among the "others receiving votes" in the AP Top 25 at the time, the Huskies have lost to Illinois 81-77, at Michigan State 88-54 and at Michigan 91-75, then returned home to suffer a 69-58 defeat to Purdue before an 82-71 loss Tuesday at No. 15 Oregon.

Great Osobor had 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists to lead Washington on Tuesday.

UCLA rebounded from its losing streak by defeating Iowa 94-70 and No. 18 Wisconsin 85-83 at home in the past week.

The Bruins beat Washington 69-58 in the Big Ten opener for both schools on Dec. 3 at Pauley Pavilion as Sebastian Mack and Tyler Bilodeau each scored 16 points. Osobor led the Huskies with 14 points and added nine rebounds, four assists and a season-worst eight turnovers.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin said it would be a mistake to overlook the Huskies.

"Regardless of what's been going on on the scoreboard at the end of their games, their defense and their spirit is impressive. And that's not an easy thing when you're not getting the result you want," Cronin said. "They led the first 30-plus minutes at Oregon ... they're athletic, got some size."

--Field Level Media