UCLA men face big test, opportunity vs. Michigan and Michigan State
LOS ANGELES — The UCLA men’s basketball team has won five of the last six games, rejuvenating excitement around its season. But the Bruins’ ceiling should be clear after this upcoming stretch.
UCLA (17-7, 9-4 Big Ten) travels to No. 2 Michigan (23-1, 13-1) on Saturday and No. 10 Michigan State (20-4, 10-3) on Tuesday. Win, and the Bruins all but stamp their NCAA tournament ticket and change the discussion of how long they can dance in March. Lose, and missing March Madness becomes a possibility, and the expectations of what they can accomplish diminish.
The Wolverines and Spartans pose similar challenges. Both have top-5 defenses, according to the KenPom rankings. Both impose their will, physically. Both have raucous arenas, which UCLA will be experiencing for the first time since switching conferences.
“That’s life in the Big Ten,” head coach Mick Cronin quipped at Wednesday’s practice. “The Big Ten is no joke. Everybody’s big, everybody’s strong.”
Fortunately for the Bruins, they have a week in between games to prepare for a pair of opponents with familiar characters.
Because of that extended time, UCLA could take a day off after defeating Washington last Saturday. It could be more intentional with its Michigan scout. The Bruins could focus on self-development, rather than using practice solely for game prep. Senior guard Skyy Clark, who has missed 10 games with what Cronin called a Grade 1 hamstring injury, could start stacking practices. Guards Donovan Dent and Trent Perry could recover from carrying the load with Clark out.
“More time to practice for this game compared to any other games,” Perry said. “It’s good to be able to have that kind of advantage.”
“We got more time to prepare for the team we play next,” forward Eric Dailey Jr. said.
Michigan leads the nation with a 22.4 average scoring margin. They’re No. 1 in NET rating, highlighted by a 17-1 record against Quad 1 and 2 opponents. They have the best defensive rating in the KenPom rankings.
Cronin attributed their dominance to their depth. The Wolverines bring multiple starting-caliber players off the bench, allowing for 40 minutes of intensity, and empowering guard Elliot Cadeau to constantly pressure the ball. They also start three players taller than 6-foot-9 who disrupt passing lanes with their length.
“Analytically, their defense is dominant,” Cronin said. “Because it’s so hard to shoot a high percentage, you cannot turn the ball over.”
Gaining an advantage in the possession battle has become widely valued in the basketball community. That can be achieved through winning the rebound margin, turnover margin, or both. Teams and coaches intentionally identify the category in which they’re better equipped to command. This season, because of their personnel, the Bruins have emphasized that turnover battle — trying to force more than they commit — and executed, averaging 9.3 turnovers, the third-best mark in the Big Ten, forcing 12.3.
Continuing that mark against Michigan will be imperative.
Cronin also praised forward Yaxel Lendeborg’s athleticism, saying his pace was that of a professional, highlighting his versatility to play point forward.
The Bruins are familiar with Michigan center Aday Mara, who played two seasons in Westwood before transferring to Ann Arbor. UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau has maintained his relationship with Mara, texting with him on multiple occasions this season. Dailey said the two haven’t spoken. Cronin is not too concerned with his former player’s production.
“Another game, buddy,” Cronin said when asked about Mara. “That’s life in the portal.”
“He’s huge and he’s skilled down there,” Bilodeau said of Mara. “If he catches it deep, he’ll score. … He’s a great passer, too. We got to be physical with him and show our hands for sure.”
To contend with the Wolverines’ size and athleticism, the Bruins have to meet their physicality. They have to prioritize ball security, prevent Michigan from operating in transition, and then make executing difficult in the half-court.
Despite a week in between games, the Bruins aren’t using court time to focus on the Spartans. One game at a time, Dailey said of their scouting strategy.
Cronin, however, is well aware of who he’s matching wits with on Tuesday.
“Coach [Tom] Izzo, in my opinion, is the best ambassador going for college basketball,” he said. “The fact that he respects me enough to take my calls and become friends with me means a lot to me. It’s like a milestone in my career.”
Last season, after UCLA lost four straight at the resumption of Big Ten play, Cronin called Izzo. The legendary coach offered advice, which helped Cronin and the Bruins turn their fate. UCLA, ultimately, beat Michigan State 63-61 on Feb. 4, 2025, marked by Dailey’s game-winning floater.
Izzo might not be as quick to offer Cronin insight this weekend.
“I have thought about trying to talk him into buying me some dinner,” Cronin said. “I’m really hoping that I’m not totally miserable on Sunday, nor is he — because we both tend to get that way — and he’ll buy me dinner.”
Certainly stakes are high over the next five days. UCLA could snag two season-defining wins, and Cronin could share a ribeye with his role model. Or, the Bruins could come away fruitless, and return to Westwood without a mere slice of Detroit-style pizza.