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Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff (45) tries to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Here are three very important things to know following UCLA's loss to Purdue

Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff (45) tries to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Here are three very important things to know following UCLA's loss to Purdue

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Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins center Xavier Booker (1) reacts after making a three point basket against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Bruins had many issues against Purdue, but they still gave social media a good game to watch.

Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) goes to the basket against UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) during the second half of Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Walking through UCLA's majestic upset over Michigan State

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) gestures a after making a three point basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Dent has carried the Bruins to the Big Ten Semifinals

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) drives to the basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The UCLA backcourt has played a vital role in the team's recent improvement, and that makes the Bruins a dangerous NCAA Tournament team.

UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) falls on the court due to injury during the first half of Big Ten tournament quarterfinal against Michigan State at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Bilodeau exited with a knee injury against Michigan State in the Big Ten Quarterfinals

Michigan State guard Kur Teng (2) dribbles against UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) during the second half of Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 13, 2026.

UCLA is heading to the semifinals to face Purdue following Michigan State upset

UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) celebrates a play against Michigan State during the second half of Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The Bruins faced MSU again, and the game was a scrappy back-and-forth learning opportunity for UCLA.

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) celebrates against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

All the information you must know before tip off

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Jamichael Davis (1) defends UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Dent had the first triple-double in Big Ten Tournament history on Thursday.

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) brings the ball up court against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Grading Each UCLA starter's performance vs Rutgers

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) drives to the basket against Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Harun Zrno (13) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Here are three takeaways from UCLA's rough win over Rutgers.

Michigan State's Carson Cooper, right, and UCLA's Steven Jamerson, left, stare each other down after Jamerson's flagrant foul on Cooper during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Here is everything you need to know before UCLA's second Big Ten tournament matchup

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin directs his team against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

What Mick Cronin said following UCLA's round-three win over Rutgers

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) brings the ball up court against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Bruins were able to stop Rutgers and continue to the next round, which social media enjoyed despite some shakiness.

Indiana's Oumar Ballo (11) is blocked byUCLA's Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the Indiana versus UCLA men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

See what the Bruins have to go through in Chicago.

Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots the ball against Tennessee Volunteers forward Cade Phillips (12) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The Bruins need to replicate the first round performance, but should they repeat their play from the second round?

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; FS1 analyst Miles Simon (right) interviews UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) after the game against the Southern California Trojans at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Here is why Donovan Dent must perform against Rutgers.

Feb 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) is defended by Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Bryce Dortch (4) as UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) sets a screen in the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Taking a deep dive into UCLA's matchup against Rutgers

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Kam Woods (13) is surrounded by UCLA Bruins guards Eric Freeny (8), Eric Dailey Jr. (3) and forward Xavier Booker (1) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Here are three Bruins who need to answer the call against a very scrappy Rutgers team.

Feb 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Xavier Booker (1) blocks a shot by Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Emmanuel Ogbole (21) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Here are three Scarlet Knights who hope to derail UCLA's tournament

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) shoots the ball against Southern California Trojans forward Jacob Cofie (6) first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dent was third in the conference in assists per game.

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) talks with head coach Mick Cronin against the Southern California Trojans first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The UCLA head coach opened up about the season in a recent radio interview.

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) shoots the ball against Southern California Trojans guard Jerry Easter II (8) in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Bruins enter the conference tournament with a much clearer identity

Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots the ball against Utah State Aggies guard Mason Falslev (12) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

UCLA won their first March Madness game last year, what will they need to repeat to win again?