Up next for UCLA basketball: Thursday at Oregon

AT OREGON

When: 6.

Where: Knight Arena, Eugene.

On the air: TV: ESPN2; Radio: 570.

Records: UCLA 16-4, 5-2 in Pac-12 play; Oregon 14-5, 2-5.

Update: Is Oregon fixed or is Washington State that bad? The Ducks were undefeated and ranked 10th in the nation one game into Pac-12 Conference play. Then came a five-game losing streak that ended Sunday with a 71-44 victory over Washington State. Why the Ducks suddenly struggled is unclear. They average 85.9 points per game, fourth in the nation. They have a deep bench, with a nine-man rotation now that Ben Carter and Dominic Artis have returned from suspensions. What Coach Dana Altman said he saw in the Washington State game was improved communication, defense and rebounding. UCLA, which ranks ninth nationally averaging 85.3 points, can take a big step forward in the Pac-12 race with a road victory — or two — this week. Guard Kyle Anderson has pushed the Bruins along, averaging 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists the last three games.

chris.foster@latimes.com