It is gameday and UCLA is in San Francisco for a matchup with the California Golden Bears. Both teams sit at 5-1 on the season as they look to each get their sixth win. For UCLA it will be their second biggest challenge of the year behind their Arizona game. A game in which they lost 69-65 and had to address issues of paint defense and bench production. They came back home and were able to do so against Sacramento State and Presbyterian.
Itβs πππππππ for UCLA in San Francisco.
β UCLA Menβs Basketball (@UCLAMBB) November 25, 2025
The No. 18-ranked Bruins (5-1) face California (5-1) this evening at Chase Center in the Empire Classic.
β°: 7 p.m. (PT)
π»: ESPN
π»: AM 790
π»: https://t.co/vJiyw0DypT
π: https://t.co/e77jeDvLm4#GoBruins π pic.twitter.com/958OwFdoC1
Now they will face California as 8.5-point road favorites. They will play another game without one of their best players in Tyler Bilodeau. Bilodeau is nursing an ankle injury and sat out the game against Presbyterian as well. This is an opportunity for Brandon Williams to step up again. He arguably had his best game as a Bruin in their last outing. Pouring in 11 points and seeming a lot more comfortable in the offense. After looking a bit overwhelmed in the first five games.
The timetable for #UCLA F Tyler Bilodeau remains consistent with what Mick Cronin said β 1-2 weeks.
β Aaron Heisen (@aaron_heisen) November 25, 2025
He is out tonight at Cal, but that expected recovery timeline conveniently comes as UCLA has 7 days off before its first Big Ten game.
Thereβs a chance Bilodeauβs back by Dec.β¦
California can score the ball at a high clip and shoot very well from the field. Averaging 85.2 points per game on 49.2/36.3/64.1 shooting splits. Their schedule to date though has not been challenging besides a Kansas State matchup where they lost 99-96. UCLA has not had a tough schedule up until now either besides the Arizona game where they lost 69-65. Signaling both teams are still untested as we are heading towards December with tougher schedules on deck.
Bears love honey π―#GoBears | #ThroughAndThrough pic.twitter.com/7Rtyka3Ilt
β Cal Basketball (@CalMBBall) November 22, 2025
UCLA on the season is averaging 77.8 points per game on 49.4/36/72.9 shooting splits. They will need to get improved production from their star transfer in Donovan Dent. He is only shooting 39% from the field and 11% from 3-point range. This is a game where he can showcase why he was the top name in the portal this past offseason. UCLA has seen the production uptick in Eric Dailey Jr., Skyy Clark and Xavier Booker. They will need them each to continue as they try and establish themselves as March contenders.
UCLA needs to be prepared for a Big Ten slugfest. They can use this game as a barometer to see how far they have come. Bench production will be key. UCLA has seen glimpses of Jamar Brown and Trent Perry shining. California is very heavy on their starting lineup and not much depth. UCLA will take that into their advantage and pull away late.
Prediction: UCLA 82 - California 71