CHICAGO - UCLA's first Big Ten tournament opponent is set and they'll be facing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday as the Bruins look to carry what they built right at the end of the season into the conference tournament and beyond.
Rutger's takedown of Minnesota may have taken away UCLA's chance at getting revenge against the Gophers for besting the Bruins in the regular season, but it also puts UCLA into a matchup that's been favorable in the past.
Winning away from home
In the regular season, UCLA bested Rutgers 98-66, but that was over a month and crucially, took place at Pauley Pavilion, where the Bruins were 17-1 this season. They've struggled away from Westwood and even though the tournament is in a neutral site in Chicago, Rutgers is fresh off of playing a game the night before while UCLA may still be shaking off the rust of their travel to the Midwest.
Ric Tapia - The Sporting Tribune
Trent Perry #1 of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the first half against Gonzaga Bulldogs at Intuit Dome on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
"Keep up what we've been doing. Outside of Pauley, even at the Galen Center, just keep carrying that momentum and keep executing the game plans, defensive efforts, all those types of things, the intangibles, to the Big Ten tournament and even March Madness," sophomore guard Trent Perry said.
As the regular season came to a close, the Bruins began to come into their own and play like the team they've had the potential to be the entire season. They won four of their last five games, including a thrilling overtime win over Illinois and blowouts over Nebraska and USC, doing it to the Trojans twice.
Their final three victories stood out because of the defense that UCLA showed, something that hasn't always been consistent this season. They held Nebraska and USC to 62 points or less in each of those last three games and that's the factor that elevates UCLA from good to great.
Aaron Brenner – The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) shoots the ball during an NCAA basketball game against SDSU, Friday October 17, 2025 in San Diego, California.
Finding confidence on defense
Head coach Mick Cronin made it clear that he doesn't worry about the offensive side of the ball. The Bruins average 78 points per game, their highest scoring average since the 2018-19 season and they've shown throughout the season that they're capable of offensive surges, particularly when seniors Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent are locked into their game.
Cronin, a defensive minded coach already, has made it a point of emphasis that defense is where the Bruins can set themselves apart.
That will be the key, not only against Rutgers, but through both the conference and national tournaments. The glimmers of defense prowess they've shown are encouraging and Cronin hopes that the proof that the Bruins are capable of lockdown performances will give them the confidence to keep that effort up.
"If they defend, they can be a high level basketball team. That's my hope of where they're at mentally," Cronin said.
Confidence has been a big factor for the Bruins when it comes to connecting on both ends of the court. Finishing the regular season with such triumphant wins that effectively turned the trajectory of their season around is a great way to instill confidence.
Their defense isn't perfect by any means, but what's different is the fact that the Bruins are less willing to give up when something goes awry.
Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune
Donovan Dent #2 of the UCLA Bruins jumps to block the shot by Sam Hoiberg #1 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday March 3, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Staying on pace even in difficult moments is what can keep the Bruins in games and give their offense time to clear gaps. The more they fight to do that, the more success they'll have, starting against Rutgers.
"On defense you make mistakes. Someone gets blown by. A defensive rotation happens wrong and everybody else is now able to pick each other back up," Perry said. "If someone gets blown by, we're able to help the helper now. Those extra rotations, those extra plays, they help a long way with defense, because it's not always going to look pretty."
