UW Men's Basketball Notebook: It Remains Ugly

Week of January 20-26: Washington tries to win a game on Friday

Overall Record: 10-9

Big 10 Record: 1-7

Net Ranking: 92

Last Week’s Recap

Washington was competitive for a half against a more talented and better-coached Purdue Boilermakers team. Unfortunately, they don’t play just one half of basketball. Braden Smith dominated the second half as Purdue showed Washington what it looks like to move the basketball in a 69-58 victory at Alaska Airlines Arena.

This Tuesday was more of the same for the Dawgs as they lost to Oregon on the road. After a great first ten minutes, the Huskies ran out of steam and reverted back to iso ball as four Washington players watched Great Osobor play offense. Shockingly, it didn’t work as the Huskies lost 82-71.

Player of the Week

Who cares at this point?

Stat of the Week

Washington’s game against UCLA on Friday will be their first game against an unranked opponent since January 2nd when they played and beat Maryland.

This Coming Week

Washington hosts UCLA on Friday at 8 pm (FS1).

The Bruins enter Friday night’s match against the Huskies riding a two-game winning streak. UCLA beat the Huskies back in December, 69-58. In that game, the Bruins had three players score in double-digits: Forward Tyler Bilodeau (16 points); Guard Dylan Andrews (12 points); and Guard Sebastian Mack (16 points). Washington shot an awful 3-for-16 from three in that game. If the Huskies shoot better from long-range, they will have a good chance to snap their two-game skid.

National Games to Watch

#21 Michigan at #11 Purdue
Friday, January 24th at 5 p.m. on FOX

#7 Houston at #12 Kansas
Saturday, January 25th at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN

Big 10 Standings

Big 10 record and net ranking in parentheses (through Jan. 21)

1. Michigan State (7-0, #16)

2. Michigan (6-1, #12)

3. Purdue (7-2, #13)

4. Oregon (5-3, #23)

5. Wisconsin (5-3, #21)

6. Illinois (5-3, #8)

7. Indiana (5-4, #63)

8. Maryland (4-4, #24)

9. UCLA (4-4, #35)

10. USC (4-4, #78)

11. Penn State (3-5, #48)

12. Iowa (3-25 #62)

13. Northwestern (3-5, #52)

14. Ohio State (3-5, #30)

15. Rutgers (3-5, #83)

16. Nebraska (2-36, #51)

17. Minnesota (2-6, #107)

18. Washington (1-7, #92)

Recruiting Corner

JUCO-signee F Mady Traore (7-0, 195 lbs) - Frank Phillips College (France)

Traore signed with the Huskies last year in late November. The Frenchmen played his freshman year at New Mexico State and his sophomore year at Maryland, before transferring to Frank Phillips College (JUCO). Traore is averaging 15.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game at Frank Phillips College. JucoRecruiting.com ranks Traore as the No. 2 JUCO player in the Class of 2025.