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Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) scores past Southern California Trojans forwards Jacob Cofie (6) and Ezra Ausar (2) during the second half tat Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Dent has been surging for a UCLA team in need of serious surges.

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) scores past Southern California Trojans forwards Jacob Cofie (6) and Ezra Ausar (2) during the second half tat Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Dent has been surging for a UCLA team in need of serious surges.

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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

After a turbulent season, the Bruins have some intriguing odds at playing deep into March.

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) drives to the basket past Southern California Trojans guard Ryan Cornish (9) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Head coach Mick Cronin challenged his starting lineup after Tuesday's win.

Jan 3, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) controls the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

While UCLA looked incredible against USC, there are still some critiques to address.

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) runs back on defense after scoring a three-point basket during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Grading each UCLA performance against USC

Feb 14, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Top three takeaways from Mick Cronin's presser following USC matchup

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) reacts to scoring against Illinois during the second half while UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) (left) and Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic (13) (right) look on at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Trojans in rearview mirror, Bruins eye bigger, better things.

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) hits the floor as he tries to drive past UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins won once again against USC, and they are giving social media some hope for March.

Jan 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) reacts after a dunk in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Walking minute-by-minute through UCLA's convincing win over the Trojans

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives to the basket past UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins overcame plenty of hurdles to take down Illinois over the weekend

Feb 17, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Carson Cooper (15) draws a flagrant foul call against UCLA Bruins center Steven Jamerson II (24) during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

After thrown out by his own coach against MSU, how Jamerson rebounded in bigtime win.

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) reacts to scoring against Illinois during the second half while UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) (left) and Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic (13) (right) look on at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

USC stands in way of cross-town rival's season.

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) reacts after scoring the winning basket at the buzzer in overtime against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Bruins stole a victory against Illinois over the weekend

Feb 14, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

USC could effectively derail any hopes of a UCLA tournament run.

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives to the basket past UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

How each UCLA starter will play in rivalry showdown.

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

The Bruins' upset of Illinois might be exactly what they needed.

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) celebrates scoring the winning basket in overtime against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Dent hit the game-winning layup as time expired against Illinois

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

Here is everything that happened in the close defeat to No. 10 Illinois

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) tries to score between Illinois forward Ben Humrichous (3) and Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic (13) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

With unforeseen ability the Bruins were able to climb an almost impossible deficit against Illinois, impressing social media.

Jan 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) reacts after a dunk in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Here are three Bruins who need to rewrite the narrative about their recent play

Feb 17, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Carson Cooper (15) gets a flagrant foul call against UCLA Bruins center Steven Jamerson II (24) during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

Cronin apologized for the incident earlier this week

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.

Here are three hot takes before UCLA faces off against Illinois

Feb 10, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) pressures Wisconsin Badgers guard Andrew Rohde (7) with the ball during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

UCLA's season could depend on how Bruins corral these 3 players

Feb 14, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Big Ten's star freshman came out of nowhere. Now, he could be a problem for UCLA.

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

The Bruins as a whole desperately need to get something going against the Fighting Illini.