UCLA will play three more games before they get into the most important stretch of their season. A stretch that will include three straight games against top 10 teams. No. 3 Michigan, No. 7 Michigan State and No. 9 Illinois. All three games will be played in seven days. Setting UCLA up to either make or break their season. They will be underdogs in each of those games but have the chance to set themselves up for success. Barring a miracle, they will not win all three games. But if you can come out of that stretch 2-1, that will be a win-win.
The Bruins will need to continue their success on defense and tuning things up. During their three-game winning streak, they have really played great defense. That has been their calling card as they are not the most elite at scoring the basketball. The positive is defense has always been Mick Cronin‘s biggest aspect of coaching. His best teams for UCLA have been elite defensively. Most notably his 2020-2023 teams that could completely take teams out of games.
UCLA has one of the best BLOB Defenses in the Country! Using their 1-3-1 BLOB Match-Up. Some similarities to Brad Stevens' BLOB Defense from Butler. Winning the hidden possessions is key in March!
— Mike Jagacki (@Mike_Jagacki) March 22, 2023
Here's how they do it, thread: pic.twitter.com/o9eQcRNAs6
UCLA has had a roller coaster season. They started off playing rough basketball. Getting wins in games. But not doing so in dominating fashion and playing down to their opponents. Then they were able to pick it up and then it went back down to a lot of questions. There are still concerns with the team, but they have cleaned up a lot, including starting to hit their free throws. That was a tough stretch that they had as well. Leaving free points out on the floor is not something you want to do in the Big Ten.
The three games that UCLA will have to tune them up will be Indiana, Rutgers and Washington. All three games will be at home before they hit the road for the Michigan and Michigan State games. The Bruins will be favorites in all three of their upcoming games. Indiana will be the closest line at 3.5. But Rutgers and Washington could approach double digits. As both teams are near the bottom half of the Big Ten. If UCLA just plays their game, they will win all three games. Putting them at 18-6 before that crucial heart of their schedule.
#UCLA coach Mick Cronin talked about the advantages of playing at home, his team's improved defense, the challenges of Indiana and more. https://t.co/rEKbMh1GUX
— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) January 30, 2026