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Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) passes the ball against Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark this article to receive updates on UCLA's March Madness journey

Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) passes the ball against Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark this article to receive updates on UCLA's March Madness journey

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Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) drives to the basket against Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

March Madness is around the corner, and everyone can compete against Sports Illustrated's best in the bracket challenge.

Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts after being called for a technical against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Taking a look round-by-round at each of UCLA's potential opponents

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) grabs his knee against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Two UCLA stars suffered injuries during the Big Ten Tournament.

Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) goes to the basket on Purdue Boilermakers guard Omer Mayer (17) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Bruins helped themselves with a strong close to the season and performances in Chicago.

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the second half against the Southern California Trojans at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Grading how each UCLA starter played in loss to Purdue

Mar 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) goes to the basket on Purdue Boilermakers guard Omer Mayer (17) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Here are three observations from UCLA's semifinal finish

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin reacts to a play against Michigan State during the first half of Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Here is everything that could go right and wrong before UCLA gets its official seed

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; 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?