The Washington Huskies have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Tournament, where they will face top-seeded UCLA. In the second round, Washington secured a solid 76-64 victory over USC, while the Bruins similarly triumphed, defeating the Trojans 73-50 in their season finale. This upcoming matchup marks the 76th all-time encounter between both teams, with UCLA holding a series lead of 42-33. The game is set to begin on Friday, March 6, at 9:00 a.m. PT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Washington’s recent performance reflects a strong season, as they are currently riding a wave of momentum, having made significant strides in their conference debut. The Huskies’ victory over USC also signifies their return to the quarterfinal round of a conference tournament for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Star player Sayvia Sellers shined in the game against USC, scoring a season-high 25 points on an impressive 10-for-13 shooting.
Additionally, three members of the Huskies have received Big Ten End-Of-Season Honors, with Sellers earning first-team recognition and also being named to the 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s Player of the Year Late-Season Team. This makes her the first Husky to receive this accolade since Kelsey Plum and only the fourth in the program’s history since 2010. With remarkable consistency, Sellers has finished in double digits in 20 consecutive games, a feat not seen since Plum’s run in the 2016-17 season.
UCLA boasts a remarkable record of 28-1 for the season and has remained undefeated in conference play at 18-0. They concluded their regular season with victories against both Wisconsin and USC. The last encounter between Washington and UCLA took place in late February, where the Huskies fell 82-67 despite a strong performance from Avery Howell, who scored 19 points.
In terms of performance metrics through March 3, the Huskies rank 26th in rebound margin and have impressive statistics in field goal and 3-point shooting percentages. Washington has also achieved an NCAA Tournament berth, breaking a seven-year absence from the competition, signaling a positive trajectory for the program.
Fans are encouraged to stay updated on the team’s progress through GoHuskies.com and their social media platforms. With an exciting matchup on the horizon, Washington’s promising season adds to the anticipation of what might unfold in the upcoming quarterfinals against UCLA.