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Ducks Rising, Bruins Reemerging in Wild Big Ten Chase

> Stephen Vilardo's weekly column on the 2024-25 Big Ten men's basketball season


  By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports

January 23, 2025



Big Ten logoThe Big Ten has been wildly unpredictable this season, to say the least.

Last week, Minnesota, the only winless team in league play, hosted Michigan, one of two unbeatens, and the Golden Gophers sent the Wolverines packing with a loss.

Two-win Ohio State went on the road to West Lafayette, Ind., and came away with a shocking win that ended Purdue’s 26-game winning streak at Mackey Arena.

Anything can happen in this wide-open league.

Only the Spartans, who own the second-longest active win streak in the nation, seem untouchable at this point.

Michigan State extended its streak to 11 games with a win over Illinois on Sunday, improving to 7-0 in conference play


Ducks Well-Positioned for Postseason, Late Title Chase
Among those within striking distance of the Spartans is Oregon, which improved to 5-3 in conference play with their win over Washington on Tuesday night.

The Ducks have proven to be the real deal this season against quality opponents with a 7-2 mark in Quad 1 games.

Those seven wins are the second-most in the nation in such games and three more than any other Big Ten team this season.

Jackson Shelstad vs Washington | Thomas Boyd/AP

Oregon has a lone game scheduled for next week, a trip to Minneapolis to face the Gophers. The Barn can be a tough place to play—just ask Dusty May and the Wolverines.

The multiple-time zone trip can also create issues for traveling teams.

However, following USC’s win at Nebraska, Big Ten road teams are now 11-11 in games spanning more than two time zones this season. So, perhaps it is becoming less of an issue?


Long Home Stand, Offensive Explosion Revitalizing Bruins
UCLA has certainly seen plenty of the United States this season, particularly the East Coast.

The Bruins got to stay home last week, though, compiling a perfect 2-0 record against Iowa and Wisconsin.

UCLA  may have found something, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

In their win over Iowa, the Bruins led at the intermission, 57-24, the program’s highest point total in a half since 2016 and the largest halftime lead since 2012.

UCLA  stayed hot at home with a Tuesday night win over Wisconsin, snapping a seven-game winning streak for the Badgers.

Sebastian Mack vs Wiscsonsin | Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images

The Bruins reached the 80-point mark in both victories, averaging 89.5 points per contest. In their prior six games, they had averaged just 66.8 points, going 1-5.

It was a much-needed offensive explosion.

UCLA remains on the West Coast for the next five games, facing the other three expansion schools while also hosting Penn State and Michigan State.

The reduced travel and—more importantly—a suddenly potent offense should assist the Bruins as they attempt to climb back up the standings.


Huskies Still Looking for Answers Under Danny Sprinkle
One team that is not moving in the right direction is Washington.

Washington football pac-12The Husky losing streak under first-year head coach Danny Sprinkle now sits at five after falling at Oregon on Tuesday.

UW will get the suddenly hot Bruins this weekend before traveling to Minnesota with an eight-day break between the two games.


Player of the Week: Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA

Bilodeau averaged 17.5 points,  2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game in the Bruins two wins.

The junior shot 70% from the floor for the week.


Freshman of the week: Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Bailey averaged 27 points, nine rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 blocked shots as the Knights split a pair of games beating Nebraska and falling to Penn State.