UCLA now 20-10 on the season will play their last game on Saturday against USC. Looking to finish the season at 21-10 which would include a 13-7 Big Ten record. That mark could be good enough to put them in the top five in the Big Ten, depending on how other games are able to swing. It has been an inconsistent season for the Bruins never knowing what team you were going to get on a nightly basis. But if they can finish off with a win against USC. They can get a decent seed in the Big Ten tournament and win a few games.
We’ve got two regular-season games left … 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤.
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) March 2, 2026
🏀 vs. Nebraska (on Tuesday)
📅 8 p.m., PT
🏀 at USC (on Saturday)
📅 6 p.m., PT
🎟️: https://t.co/WvjMwbL3Ax pic.twitter.com/cQFHqRtW9t
Every win will strengthen their NCAA tournament hopes. With the win over Nebraska, they most likely secured their spot. We just don’t know what seed they will most likely place in. A few wins in the Big Ten tournament could help them. They could also make a little bit of a run if they play the way they did at Pauley Pavilion this season. Which they have three top 10 wins on their resume against Purdue, Illinois and Nebraska.
USC at 18-11 would need to beat UCLA for any chance at the NCAA tournament. They do not have a good resume in the Big Ten. As they sit 7-11 on the season. They just removed Chad Baker-Mazara from the team as well. He was their leading scorer at 18.5 points per game, after the injury earlier in the season to Rodney Rice. The Trojans will now rely on Ezra Ausar and Alijah Arenas to carry the scoring load to finish out this season. This should be a game that the Bruins are heavily favored in.
UCLA obliterates No. 9 Nebraska at Pauley Pavilion to move to 20-10 on the season and 12-7 in the Big Ten with one conference game to play at USC. Bruins now have won all three Quad 1 games they have hosted after handing the Huskers their first double digit beating of the season. pic.twitter.com/HNRzHQq1Mc
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) March 4, 2026
UCLA has been a different team away from Westwood. But there is a large talent gap between these two teams. UCLA will need to take care of business and finish out this season with the win. Putting them at 21-10 and if they can secure a top five seed in the Big Ten tournament. That could get them two more wins. Then be able to match up against one of those top ranked teams they were able to beat. They will need to replicate their success to try and get another upset win. It all starts Saturday and making sure they can wrap that up.