UCLA is in Seattle for a battle with the No. 8 in the country with Gonzaga. Gonzaga is a very good team, they will be in talks to win March Madness all season. Braden Huff and Graham Ike have been dominating in the front court. It is very hard to stop this team besides the small hiccup they had against the Michigan Wolverines, where they lost by 40. It will not be an easy task for the Bruins to go in and get an upset. They will need to play mistake free basketball to be able to accomplish the feat.
The ๐๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ will take on No. 8 Gonzaga (9-1) on Saturday evening at ๐๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ in Seattle in a non-conference showdown. Game time is 8:30 p.m.
โ UCLA Menโs Basketball (@UCLAMBB) December 11, 2025
๐บ: ESPN
๐ป: AM 790
๐๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ฆ: https://t.co/Bxspgygd3W pic.twitter.com/rIoMeGTQkG
Free throws
UCLA was much better last game as they went 18-21 from the free-throw line. This was a far cry from five straight games at 75% or less. These are supposed to be free points. UCLA has made it harder than it needs to be. Which is concerning because they have really good free throw shooters. Whenever they get to the line, they need to make sure that they capitalize on these opportunities.
Defense
You will not win a shootout with Gonzaga. They might be the best offense in the country, and they can score 100 quickly. Defense will be the name of the game. If you can contain them and keep them between 70 and 80 points. You will have a chance to win this game. Take the Michigan footprint and see if you can replicate it. They kept Gonzaga from being able to do anything at all in their game. Constant pressure and being able to take advantage of the unforced errors.
Donovan Dent
These are the games that show why Dent was brought in as a star transfer. He is an elite score and has great vision. He can get his own shot and set up others. The Bruins are now operating at full health so they need their four general to be able to run the offense. But also need him locked in on defense. If you get him motivated on both sides of the ball, he will be one of the best players on the floor.
After a month filled with injuries in which he displayed little resemblance to the dynamic point guard he was at New Mexico, Donovan Dent might be rounding into form just in time for UCLA's showdown with Gonzaga.https://t.co/bj3AywtXd1
โ Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) December 12, 2025
It will not be easy for UCLA. Gonzaga is a 10.5 point favorite. Many sites expect them to run away with this game. UCLA will need to play on offense like they did against Washington. Then play defense the way they did against Oregon and Arizona. Easier said than done, but we know they have the capability to do it. An upset win against Gonzaga would be a huge confidence booster for this team moving forward.