What UCLA needs to do to compete in the Big Ten tournament

CHICAGO – UCLA’s first Big Ten tournament opponent is set and they’ll be facing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday as the Bruins look to carry what they built right at the end of the season into the conference tournament and beyond.

Rutger’s takedown of Minnesota may have taken away UCLA’s chance at getting revenge against the Gophers for besting the Bruins in the regular season, but it also puts UCLA into a matchup that’s been favorable in the past.

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Winning away from home

In the regular season, UCLA bested Rutgers 98-66, but that was over a month and crucially, took place at Pauley Pavilion, where the Bruins were 17-1 this season. They’ve struggled away from Westwood and even though the tournament is in a neutral site in Chicago, Rutgers is fresh off of playing a game the night before while UCLA may still be shaking off the rust of their travel to the Midwest.

Trent Perry #1 of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the first half against Gonzaga Bulldogs at Intuit Dome on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California.

Ric Tapia – The Sporting Tribune

Trent Perry #1 of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the first half against Gonzaga Bulldogs at Intuit Dome on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California.

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“Keep up what we’ve been doing. Outside of Pauley, even at the Galen Center, just keep carrying that momentum and keep executing the game plans, defensive efforts, all those types of things, the intangibles, to the Big Ten tournament and even March Madness,” sophomore guard Trent Perry said.

As the regular season came to a close, the Bruins began to come into their own and play like the team they’ve had the potential to be the entire season. They won four of their last five games, including a thrilling overtime win over Illinois and blowouts over Nebraska and USC, doing it to the Trojans twice.

Their final three victories stood out because of the defense that UCLA showed, something that hasn’t always been consistent this season. They held Nebraska and USC to 62…

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Publish date : 2026-03-13 00:09:00

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