UCLA picked up a big-time upset win on Friday night. As they knocked off No. 8 Michigan State 88-84 in the Big Ten tournament. Setting UCLA up with a matchup against Purdue with the winner going to the championship game. The Bruins fought off an early Tyler Bilodeau injury to come away with the win. Which is not easy to do considering Bilodeau is the team's leading scorer. They had to scratch and claw however they could to the finish and they held on for dear life after a Michigan State storm.
NO. 6 @UCLAMBB TAKES DOWN NO. 3 MICHIGAN STATE 💪
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 14, 2026
The Bruins advance in the Big Ten Tournament! pic.twitter.com/BX4HnWqd85
UCLA was very good on offense for the night as they shot 55.6% from the field. That included 48.1% from 3-point range, displaying good balance on the offensive end. The team was led by Donovan Dent, who continues to play tremendous basketball for the team. As he has been turning a corner over the last three weeks in his game. He had 23 points off of 8-18 shooting to go along with 12 assists for the game. Over his last seven games he has 77 assists compared to only six turnovers. This is the player UCLA hoped they were getting in the transfer portal.
Donovan Dent's last 7 games:
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 14, 2026
▪️23 PTS | 6 REB | 12 AST | 2 TO
▪️12 PTS | 10 REB | 12 AST | 2 TO
▪️25 PTS | 11-15 FG | 7 AST | 0 TO
▪️4 PTS | 8 AST | 1 TO
▪️3 PTS | 5 REB | 15 AST | 1 TO
▪️30 PTS |10-16 FG | 8 AST | 0 TO
▪️14 PTS | 15 AST | 0 TO
Dent has 77 AST on just 6 TO's 😳 pic.twitter.com/PZbsSDFOkk
Trent Perry chipped in 22 points as the second leading scorer. He continues his breakout sophomore season playing great basketball for the team. While Eric Dailey Jr. also continued his improved play on the offensive end. He had 14 points off of 5-7 shooting. Displaying confidence on offense and getting the right shots. Which is not something he was doing a month ago and seemed to be forcing a lot of things. He is a very good player when he gets to his spots. UCLA needs him to play well on the wing to open things up.
UCLA upset Purdue earlier this season. Now they will look to get another win against them to try and head to the Big Ten championship game. The Bruins are playing with a ton of confidence right now and look to pull off this underdog feat. They have the talent to win, they have just not been able to put it together this season with consistency. But if there was a time for them to play better than ever. Now is that time and we might be seeing it. The Bruins will get another opportunity today to make their case.