Three Observations From UCLA's Loss to UConn

UCLA’s basketball season has now come to an end following its 73-57 loss to the UConn Huskies.

The Bruins were competitive for most of the game, but the second half told a different story. UConn outscored UCLA 35-24 in the half, where the Bruins looked utterly helpless. It was clear that the absence of Tyler Bilodeau weighed more heavily than many expected.

UCLA's Depth Was The Issue

clar — Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55), guard Brandon Williams (5), center Steven Jamerson II (24), and guard Jamar Brown (4) react on the bench in the second half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Even though the season is over and UCLA will likely have a fresh lineup next year, it is still worth mentioning how poorly UCLA’s depth performed. If Mick Cronin is unable to find role players in the transfer portal or through this year’s recruiting class, UCLA could find itself in a very similar situation.

All season, depth has been UCLA’s biggest flaw. Against UConn, the Bruins’ bench scored just five points, with two from Steven Jamerson and three from Brandon Williams. In comparison, UConn received 17 points from its bench. It was clear UCLA was outmatched in that area.

Trent Perry Did UCLA No Favors

This was a strong season overall for Trent Perry, but he struggled in this game. Perry played 32 minutes and scored five points on 2-for-8 shooting. What was most concerning were his three personal fouls and two turnovers that allowed UConn to build momentum.

What was frustrating about his performance was his lack of confidence. Once known for his strong three-point shooting, Perry attempted only two shots from beyond the arc. At a minimum, he should be taking closer to five, given his ability. It was simply a rough game for Perry.

UCLA is Going to Miss Bilodeau

bilopdea — 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 | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

As mentioned earlier, the Bruins struggled offensively against strong competition without Bilodeau. When UCLA went through scoring droughts, it did not have its go-to scorer available to stop the slide. His absence proved crucial in the loss.

With Bilodeau expected to leave for the NBA draft as a senior, UCLA will need to figure out how to build a more balanced roster next season. When teams become too top-heavy, results like this can happen. Now it is up to Cronin to build the team for the future.

Overall, this was a disappointing end to the season. UCLA fought hard, but when push came to shove, the Bruins proved Cronin’s earlier description correct when he referred to the team as having a “glass jaw.” When faced with adversity, UCLA simply could not respond.