Can UCLA push their winning streak to 13 games on Sunday? The 18-1 Bruins hit the road to go and face the 8-11 Northwestern Wildcats. Everything has been going UCLA’s way in recent weeks, collecting one blowout win after another.
UCLA has been good against elite teams, and they must continue that
UCLA not only has one of the best records in the country but they’ve done it against some of the best competition in the nation, having beaten No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 11 North Carolina to headline their six ranked wins. The Bruins will need to continue that success next month when they face No. 10 Iowa, No. 7 Michigan and No. 13 Michigan State.
Northwestern have recently found their groove
Northwestern is just 2-6 in the Big Ten Conference but they have played better as of late. The Wildcats won two in a row against Rutgers and Wisconsin before losing 74-71 to No. 25 Illinois. Senior forward Grace Sullivan has led the way for Northwestern, leading the team with 22.1 points per game (second in the Big Ten) and is second on the team with 6.9 rebounds.
Who’s going to guard Lauren Betts?
Could Tayla Thomas be who the Wildcats have guard Lauren Betts? Thomas has a size disadvantage at 6’3” but she’s hauled in 8.5 rebounds per game along with 1.5 blocks. Northwestern could also throw 6’3” DaiJa Turner at Betts but the Bruin center will have a few inches on whoever Northwestern throws at her.
Wildcats find themselves near the bottom of the Big Ten
Northwestern doesn’t have a strength on either side of the ball, they’re the second-worst offense in the Big Ten while also having the second-worst defense. Things have been looking a bit better for the Wildcats lately but they haven’t seen a team like the Bruins yet.
Can Gabriela Jaquez keep her efficiency up?
Gabriela Jaquez has exceeded expectations for the Bruins this season. Jaquez got off to a tremendous start to the season before cooling off a little bit, that cold stretch is behind her now though. Jaquez has scored 47 points in the last two games while going 20-24 from the field and 5-6 on threes.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Northwestern has been playing better but UCLA WBB is a different beast
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
