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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

UCLA's best player was able to make an All-Big Team.

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

UCLA's best player was able to make an All-Big Team.

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Mar 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) drives to the basket as Nebraska Cornhuskersforward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) moves n to defend during the 1st half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins received two votes in the latest poll.

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

Each starter for UCLA will be key to a deep run, and all of them have something to fix.

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Gabe Cupps (4) dribbles the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Eric Freeny (8) in the second half at Value City Arena on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

Breaking down Eric Freeny's recent stretch of efficiency of the bench.

Jan 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin and guard Donovan Dent (2) react on the bench as the lost to the Indiana Hoosiers in double overtime at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Reviewing UCLA's regular season losses that they should have won in hindsight

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and guard Bryce Alford (20) react as they walk back up court against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-Imagn Images

Reviewing notable tournament placements in UCLA's recent history

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

Examining how UCLA's season shapes its identity

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

UCLA has been a much better team since a rough mid-February road trip, and it has the Bruins eyeing an improbable run.

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

Dent has commanded the Bruins’ offense very well of late.

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

There were some big-time takeaways from Mick Cronin's presser.

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

Here are some things UCLA did well, and some areas where they can improve

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

Giving a more reasonable explanation following UCLA's massive win over 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.

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.