It’s not been easy for UCLA as of late, and it doesn’t look like it’s getting any easier.

The Bruins have fallen to No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25 poll after losing three of their part four, including a frustrating loss to USC on Saturday night at the Galen Center.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., battling ankle injuries, isn’t himself; Peyton Watson hasn’t played more than seven minutes in the past three games while managing a knee injury; and Jaylen Clark hasn’t been the same since returning to the floor after missing four consecutive games due to concussion protocol.

Mick Cronin is in his 19th season as an NCAA Division I coach, yet the stack of injuries is new to him.

“Combined with COVID, making an emergency landing where the windshield had shattered at 30,000 feet, it’s been a very eventful year, to say the least,” Cronin said. “I’ve never had this many injuries, and it really goes back and started with Chris Smith.”

Those are just injuries, starting with Smith’s ACL tear from Jan. 2, 2021, that Cronin referenced. Let’s not forget the still-lingering cloud of Mac Etienne’s arrest in Tucson, Ariz. on Feb. 3. Etienne was not with the team when it played at USC over the weekend.

As if navigating health isn’t challenging enough, UCLA (17-5, 9-4 Pac-12) will embark on a daunting schedule starting Thursday night against visiting Washington State (14-9, 7-5) at Pauley Pavilion.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on FS1.

It’s game one of six during a stretch of just 12 days.

“This is our first time doing something like this, I think,” UCLA point guard Tyger Campbell said. “I’m not sure what Coach is going to have us do, whether that’s taper off practices or not go as hard. But that’s how the scheduled turned out to be, so I just have to take it for what it is.”

After Thursday night, the Bruins will host Washington on Saturday and Arizona State on Monday and travel to Oregon on Feb. 24, Oregon State on Feb. 26 and Washington on Feb. 28. The season finale will be at Pauley Pavilion against USC on March 5.

Considering UCLA’s recent shooting woes, the matchup with Washington State could pose a big problem. Jules Bernard is 13 of 41 from the field in the past four games and just 2 of 14 from the 3-point line. Johnny Juzang was 4 of 16 against USC. Jaquez Jr. was 2 for 11.

“They shoot a lot of 3s and defend the 3 extremely well. They also defend the rim well. They’re one of the better defensive teams in the country, and nobody knows,” Cronin said of Washington State. “Only two conference teams have broken 70 (points) against them.”

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The Cougars have the best 3-point defense in the Pac-12.

“They’re athletic and have two shot blockers, so they try and get you off the (3-point) line,” Cronin added.

The Bruins have compiled an all-time record of 110-19 against Washington State.

Washington State (14-9, 7-5) at No. 13 UCLA (17-5, 9-4)

When: 8 p.m. Thursday

Where: Pauley Pavilion

TV/Radio: FS1/AM 1150