UCLA, Washington open Big Ten play with Pac-12 reunion

UCLA concludes a six-game homestand on Tuesday when it hosts its first-ever Big Ten Conference game in Los Angeles, albeit against familiar league foe Washington.

The Bruins (6-1) welcome their longtime Pac-12 Conference counterpart in the Big Ten debut for both programs. UCLA is riding a five-game winning streak, having breezed through a series of nonconference matchups that wrapped up with an 88-43 blowout of Southern Utah on Nov. 26.

In the 45-point romp, UCLA’s Dylan Andrews scored 11 points, dished three assists and had only one turnover. It was a promising showing from the junior, who struggled through the initial stretch of the season with a groin injury and inconsistent play.

“When you have a guard (who) is in his third year and started (almost) every game last year and is the one guy (who) has been in your program for three years … he’s probably going to have to have a really good year,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said of Andrews on Monday. “I’m not saying he’s got to be Player of the Year in the Big Ten, but he’s got to give us production.”

Washington (6-1) continues a Southern California swing after winning a pair of games at