If last weekend’s close calls were not enough, the Washington University men’s basketball team will have to repeat its performances on the road this weekend to keep its unscathed University Athletic Association record (7-0, 16-1 overall) intact.

The seventh-ranked Bears, who are currently riding a 13-game winning streak, first travel to New York University today in a rematch of last Sunday’s 79-78 overtime thriller. The Red and Green then head to Brandeis University for a Sunday matchup, as the Judges look to avenge last weekend’s 68-64 defeat at the hands of the Bears. The trip is expected to be the team’s most difficult of the regular season.

Washington University’s current streak is the fifth longest in school history, and its No. 7 ranking is the program’s highest since being ranked third in week 13 of the 2002-2003 season.

The recently outstanding play by sophomore point guard Sean Wallis earned him UAA Athlete of the Week Honors after he averaged 20 points and 7.5 assists in the Bears’ two most recent wins. The floor general also converted 27 of 28 free throws in the victories.

The Violets of NYU (14-4, 3-4 UAA) fell one spot in the national rankings to No. 25 after their loss to Wash. U. The Bears stormed back from a second-half deficit as large as 13 points in the Sunday win. A clutch three-pointer by sophomore forward Tyler Nading enabled the squad to send the game into overtime, where the Red and Green’s momentum, and career-high point totals by Wallis (26) and Nading (25), helped secure the win.

NYU’s four losses this season have come by a combined total of 11 points, and the school has yet to lose at home, with a perfect 11-0 record at the Coles Center. Senior big man Jason Boone holds down the fort for the Violets, as he has averaged 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds this season. Seniors Michael DeCorso and Daniel Falcon are also significant offensive contributors, with the pair averaging 13.3 and 12.1 points per game, respectively.

When they are done with business in the Big Apple, the Bears head to Waltham, Mass. on Sunday to battle the Judges of Brandeis University (13-5, 3-4 UAA). Brandeis is also undefeated at home this season, 11-0, and dating back to last season has won 13 consecutive games on its home floor.

Brandeis looks to even the season-series after its defeat to the Bears last Friday. Junior Steve DeLuca leads the team with 14.4 points per game, but was held to 11 points and seven turnovers in the loss. The Judges, however, show balance with four other players averaging at least seven points per game.

After its two-game road trip, the Bears stay at home the following weekend to take on Emory University and Case Western Reserve University.

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