UCLA @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 31, 2017 ) Washington 53, UCLA 74

Off to its best start in conference play since the 1952-53 season, Washington brings a 10-game winning streak into Saturday’s matchup against visiting UCLA. The Huskies have not allowed a team to score more than 70 points during their win streak but will be tested by the Bruins, who are averaging a league-high 82.5 points during Pac-12 play.

Huskies senior forward Noah Dickerson was averaging 8.8 points in conference play while battling constant double teams before exploding for 21 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday’s 75-62 win over USC. Matisse Thybulle, last season’s Pac-12 defensive player of the year, added 17 points, six rebounds, seven steals and two blocks as Washington forced 18 turnovers and snapped the Trojans’ three-game win streak. “They had zero points in transition, which was huge,” coach Mike Hopkins told reporters. “When teams have to play against us in the half court, it could be a tough night for them.” UCLA has won two in a row following a three-game losing streak and appears re-energized under interim coach Murry Bartow, who took over for Steve Alford at the start of conference play.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT UCLA (12-9, 5-3 Pac-12): Prince Ali, Moses Brown and Kris Wilkes each scored 16 points in Wednesday’s 87-67 win over Washington State, while sophomore point guard Jaylen Hands added 10 points with eight assists. Brown struggled early in conference play, but the 7-1 freshman from New York has averaged 13.5 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 62.5 percent from the field over the past two games. The Bruins have also received a spark from Ali who is shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range in Pac-12 action.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (17-4, 8-0): Sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell averages 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field to lead the Huskies, who are 11-0 at Alaska Airlines Arena this season. Senior guard David Crisp scored 14 points in Wednesday’s win over USC and has bounced back from a slow start to average double figures in nine straight games. The Huskies have struggled on the boards at times this season but outrebounded USC by a 40-28 margin with Dickerson leading the way.

TIP-INS

1. UCLA has won the last three meetings against Washington and owns a 99-42 lead in the all-time series.

2. With a win on Saturday, Washington would become just the ninth team in the Pac-12 since the 1978-79 season to reach 9-0 in conference play.

3. Wilkes scored 21 points to lead UCLA to a 74-53 win over Washington in Pauley Pavilion last season.

PREDICTION: Washington 82, UCLA 76