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Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Kam Woods (13) shoots the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0), forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) and forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) in the second half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

How each UCLA starter performed against USC.

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Kam Woods (13) shoots the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0), forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) and forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) in the second half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

How each UCLA starter performed against USC.

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Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) drives to the basket past UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) and forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Here are three notable things to takeaways from UCLA's win over USC.

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Eric Freeny (8) shoots over Southern California Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

UCLA blew out USC in their season finale, and social media blew up at the finish.

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) drives to the basket as Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Braden Frager (5) tries to defend during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Here is everything that went down in UCLA vs USC

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) grabs a rebound away from Southern California Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

See where UCLA is projected to land in the NCAA Tournament ahead of Saturday's matchup with USC.

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruin head coach Mick Cronin reacts to a foul call during the second half against the Southern California Trojans at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins have been better in large part due to their defense

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) chest dumps teammate Eric Dailey Jr. (3) after hitting a 3-point shot during the second} half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Dailey has become a vocal presence in the locker room for the Bruins.

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) points to teammates after hitting a 3-point jumpshot during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins will be rematching their rival USC, and one thing must change to ensure they end the season on a high note and enter March Madness prepared.

Jan 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) and guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) box out Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Setting expectations for each starter in matchup against USC

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) drives to the basket past UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) and forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Here are three Trojans who could halt UCLA's momentum before tournaments season

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots over Southern California Trojans forward Jacob Cofie (6) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Taking a look at UCLA's matchup against USC on today's episode of the UCLA Bruins Insider Podcast.

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) shoots a 3-point jump shot as teammate on the bench celebrate in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Three flaming hot takes before UCLA tips-off vs USC

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) drives to the basket as NNebraska Cornhuskers forward Braden Frager (5) tries to defend during the 1st half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins have done a solid job distributing the ball of late.

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) collides with Southern California Trojans forward Ezra Ausar (2) as he drives the baseline during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Two Bruins had vastly different games against USC, one will need to repeat his play in their rematch and the other will need to change things up.

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Jacob Cofie (6) tries to pass the ball while defended by UCLA Bruins guards Eric Dailey Jr. (3) and Eric Freeny (8) during the 2nd half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Freeny provided a spark for the Bruins in their win over Nebraska

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) chest dumps teammate Eric Dailey Jr. (3) after hitting a 3-point shot during the second} half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins have what it takes to win if they can find a way to consistently play to their potential.

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) chest dumps teammate Eric Dailey Jr. (3) after hitting a 3-point shot during the second} half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

It may sound crazy, but one loss for the Bruins how their March Madness run will go down.

Michigan State's Trey Fort, left, watches as his 3-pointer is good against UCLA's Brandon Williams during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

After a strong outing vs Nebraska, UCLA's bench could be the missing peice of the puzzle

UCLA's head coach Mick Cronin reacts during the first half against Michigan State on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Breaking down UCLA's huge win against Nebraska

Feb 14, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin talks to guard Trent Perry (0) in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Giving a more boring answer to some overreactions prompt after Nebraska win

Feb 14, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Following UCLA's loss to Minnesota it's ceiling and floor has fluctuated significantly.

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin with guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) and UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Breaking down how each starter performed in the win over Nebraska.

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin with guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) and UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Here is what Mick Cronin had to say following UCLA's historic win vs No. 9 Nebraska

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) drives the baseline past Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Braden Frager (5) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Taking a look at what UCLA was able to do right and wrong against Nebraska

Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) drives to the basket between Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Rienk Mast (51), Jamarques Lawrence (10) and Berke Buyuktuncel (9) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

UCLA upset #9 ranked Nebraska, preparing social media for what's to come in March Madness.