Head coach Mick Cronin unveiled his new squad Friday night in San Diego, offering the first glimpse into a highly anticipated season. UCLA was recently ranked No.12 in the AP Top 25 Preseason poll and No.10 in KenPom’s 2025-26 rating predictions.
It was a night of introductions for over half of the roster, with five of the nine players making their Bruin debut. Each new addition proved exactly why Cronin brought them in, making key contributions. In the end, UCLA defeated SDSU 67-60 at Viejas Arena in the team’s inaugural match.
The Bruins came out firing, surging to an early 17-0 lead on the backs of a dominant defensive stretch. SDSU didn’t score its first basket until 7:39 had run off the clock, missing its first nine shots in the process. In the first half, the Aztecs shot just 26.7% and committed a whopping 14 turnovers, three more than their full game average from last season.
By the mid-game break, UCLA led 39-23. However, they struggled to repeat their impressive start in the second half. As a unit, they made just five of their initial sixteen shots to open the latter period, watching the lead crumble to just three at its lowest point. Fortunately, efficient free-throw shooting down the stretch allowed the Bruins to hold on to and extend their slim lead, squeezing out the victory.
Donovan Dent, UCLA’s most coveted new addition and top-10 favorite to win the John Wooden award, struggled heavily from the field in his debut in blue and gold. The Senior guard shot just 4-16, also giving up three turnovers. But what he lacked in field goal efficiency, he made up for at the line, sinking all 10 attempts. His ability to get to the line and create plays, in the form of three assists and three steals, proves his value, despite any shooting struggles.
Another addition, Jamar Brown, showed why Cronin highly touted him this offseason, displaying a lethal deep ball and defensive versatility. The Kansas City transfer sank all three of his three-point attempts and picked up three steals in his 32 minutes of action.
Trent Perry added 10 points on 2-3 FG and a team-high five rebounds, while Skyy Clark scored 13. Cronin has dreamed of two-way guard depth since the departure of the leaders of the 2021 Final Four run, Jaime Jaquez, Tyger Campbell and Jaylen Clark. Now, it seems he may have finally found it.
Cronin’s squad saw huge improvements in two major areas of concern that crippled last year’s team in March: three-point and free-throw efficiency. Last season, UCLA finished 230th in FT% and 106th in 3pt%. Against SDSU, they shot 41.2% from distance and 87% from the line, two very encouraging figures.
One concerning stat line that was immediately apparent was the Bruins’ 16 turnovers, including three in the final three minutes. However, for a team just beginning to mesh, learn and grow as a unit, a road win against a tough opponent is no small feat.
UCLA will face UC Irvine at Pauley Pavilion next, for their second and final exhibition match. They will have one more chance to iron out any wrinkles before the season officially begins on Nov. 3.
Featured Image Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.
