UCLA Hoops Competing in Prestigious 2026 Season Invitational

The Bruins are one of four decorated teams playing in San Diego for Thanksgiving next season.
Mar 19, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA;  UCLA head coach Mick Cronin speaks with media during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Mar 19, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA head coach Mick Cronin speaks with media during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

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The UCLA Bruins men's basketball schedule for the 2026 season is starting to take form as Mick Cronin and his squad are one of four teams invited to compete in the 2026 Rady Children's Invitational at the University of San Diego next season.

UCLA is joined by three other decorated teams to compete in the two-day tournament that tips off on Thanksgiving Day 2026. Texas, Saint Mary's and Georgetown are the other teams traveling to USD.

The invitational takes place on Nov. 26 and 27, 2026, and will feature two games each day. The third-place and championship games will be played on Friday, Nov. 27. According to UCLA Athletics, gametimes and broadcast details are going to be announced at a later date.

This season's Rady Children's Invitational features Florida, Providence, TCU and Wisconsin and is taking place from Nov. 27-28. Purdue won the tournament last season and Oklahoma won the season prior.

UCLA History vs 2026 Rady Children's Opponents

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Dec 8, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Larry Drew II (10) drives to the basket during the second half as Texas Longhorns guard Javan Felix (3) defends at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Bruins have played Georgetown four times all-time, leading the series 3-1. UCLA hasn't played the Hoyas since the 2012-13 season in Brooklyn's Barclays Center for the Legends Classic. Georgetown won that game, 78-70.

Next season's invitational will be UCLA's seventh all-time matchup with Texas, series that is tied 3-3. Their last matchup was also in the 2012-13 season, where the Bruins and Longhorns faced off in Reliant Stadium in Houston and UCLA came out with a 65-63 win.

Lastly, UCLA has clashed with Saint Mary's 13 times before and has an 11-2 all-time lead. The last time the Bruins and Gaels matched up was during the 2022 NCAA Tournament's Round of 32 in Portland, Oregon, where UCLA came out with a 72-56 win.

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Mar 19, 2022; Portland, OR, USA; xxxxxx in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images | Soobum Im-Imagn Images

UCLA's Next Game

The Bruins look to shake off a dud of an 80-74 season-opening win against Eastern Washington by hosting Pepperdine on Friday.

How To Watch

What: (12) UCLA Bruins vs. Pepperdine Waves
When: Friday, Nov. 7
Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Where: Pauley Pavilion (Westwood, California)
TV: Big Ten Network
TV Announcers: Carlo Jimenez (play-by-play), Don MacLean (analyst)
Radio: AM 790 (KABC), SiriusXM Ch. 85 and on SiriusXM App
Radio Announcers: Josh Lewin (play-by-play), Tracy Murray (analyst)

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November 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) moves to the basket against Pepperdine Waves guard Amadi Udenyi (0) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Connor Moreno
CONNOR MORENO

Connor Moreno is an alumnus of Arizona State and New Mexico State. Before joining the On SI team, he covered the NBA's Phoenix Suns as a beat writer, and now he serves as our UCLA Bruins writer for SI.

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