UCLA Men's Basketball: Poised to Dominate the Big Ten? That's the question on everyone's mind after a significant conference shakeup. But is the Big Ten really a basketball conference? For years, it's been all about football. Now, with UCLA leading the charge, could we finally see a shift in power?
For decades, the Big Ten has been synonymous with hard-nosed football. While they boast a respectable fifth place in NCAA men's tournament history with 10 national championships, their basketball glory feels like a distant memory. In fact, you have to rewind all the way back to 2002 when Maryland clinched the title to find a Big Ten team cutting down the nets in March. But here's where it gets controversial... Is the Big Ten's basketball drought a reflection of a lack of talent, or simply bad luck?
Everything changed with the Pac-12 merger, bringing a wave of fresh talent and renewed energy to the Big Ten's basketball scene. The infusion of historically strong programs like UCLA is undeniable. The results are already speaking for themselves. Last season, the Big Ten sent eight teams to the NCAA tournament, second only to the SEC, which set a record. Furthermore, four Big Ten squads advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, signaling a clear resurgence.
And this is the part most people miss... The future looks even brighter. Early indicators, like the 2026 KenPom rankings, paint an optimistic picture, with seven Big Ten teams landing in the top 25. Leading the charge is UCLA men’s basketball, currently sitting at No. 10 – the third-highest ranked team in the conference behind Purdue (No. 3) and Illinois (No. 6). After their inaugural season in the Big Ten, the Bruins are primed for a potentially explosive year. What could make this year different for the Bruins compared to last year?
Much of the Bruins' optimism stems from the strength and experience of their returning players. Coach Mick Cronin is banking on key contributions from returning players, including three projected starters: senior guard Skyy Clark, senior forward Tyler Bilodeau, and junior guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. Sophomore guard Trent Perry is also expected to be a significant contributor off the bench, serving as a primary ball-handler.
"Our guard play is a strength… spacing the floor with Tyler Bilodeau as a shooter is a strength… and having some guys back like Eric Dailey, who averaged double figures as a sophomore, is a strength,” Cronin emphasized at Big Ten Media Day. He added, “A returning player is a premium this day and age; we used to always have returning players.”
Supplementing this core group is senior guard Donovan Dent, a preseason All-Big Ten team selection and former Mountain West Player of the Year. Dent, a transfer from New Mexico, has generated significant buzz at UCLA since his arrival in March. In fact, some analysts are already touting him as a potential Naismith Player of the Year candidate.
According to Fox Sports, Dent currently ranks No. 10 in the nation in odds for the prestigious award. His dynamic playmaking ability could transform the Bruin offense into a high-octane unit. But despite the hype, Cronin is determined to push Dent to reach his full potential.
"You get him in the open court, he’s really unstoppable, not just for himself but his teammates; he’s an elite passer," Cronin explained. "He’s adjusting to me with my demands on his defensive effort and to tighten up his ball security, but it’s a process. He’s got real, real offensive talent, and his teammates love him because you’re going to be wide open because it’s really hard to defend him with one guy.”
Cronin emphasizes that the offensive burden shouldn't fall solely on Dent's shoulders, highlighting Clark's potential impact as an off-ball shooting guard now that Dent will be running the offense. Clark, who struggled with consistency early last season, emerged as a reliable contributor down the stretch.
"The whole season I was on a new team, and I was still trying to find my role," Clark explained. "I was also going through some personal things. I had a great support system around me. I have great teammates and a great coaching staff. They really instilled a lot of confidence in me the whole year and that showed in the last few games.”
One significant hurdle for the Bruins in conference play is travel – a challenge that impacted their performance last year and could resurface in the upcoming season. Three of their first eight Big Ten games are on the road, including trips to Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State.
While UCLA is no stranger to the demands of extensive travel, Cronin acknowledges its potential impact. He expects the long flights and constant travel to take a toll at some point during the season. "It’s going to be good, with so much travel during the Big Ten regular season, it will just be good to kind of get our bearings and get everything right for the season and our Big Ten schedule,” Bilodeau added, emphasizing that the rigorous travel schedule will serve as valuable preparation for the ultimate goal: success in March.
So, what do you think? Can UCLA truly become a dominant force in the Big Ten, or will the challenges of travel and a historically football-centric conference prove too much to overcome? Are they overrated or underrated heading into the season? Drop your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
