2 Key Questions Ahead of UCLA Basketball’s First Exhibition Game

We’re less than a week away from our first glimpse at this UCLA team under Mick Cronin in his eighth year at the helm.

Wednesday, Oct. 21, UCLA will take on California Baptist University in an exhibition scrimmage prior to the beginning of the season. In what will be the first display of this brand-new roster in Westwood, there’s the potential for plenty of questions to be answered based in Wednesday’s action.

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While California Baptist isn’t the most formidable opponent to have in an exhibition scrimmage, it’s still a competitive basketball game that should give viewers an idea of where this UCLA team stands heading into the season. Let’s take a look at what information this matchup against the Lancers has to offer.

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Who Comes off the Bench First?

The first thing that we’ll immediately be able to learn is who Mick Cronin will rely on as the first man off the bench. Throughout the offseason, several different Bruins have been labeled as the potential sixth man for this team.

Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While the substitutions in an exhibition match may not exactly reflect what we’ll see in a regular season game, we will likely be able to get a decent idea of who is, and who should be, the sixth man moving forward.

If I had to guess, I would suspect that Auburn transfer Filip Jovic will be the first guy off the bench and will serve as an unofficial “sixth starter” for this team. His blend of versatility and scoring ability makes him an easy pick to relieve starter Xavier…

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Publish date : 2026-10-16 13:00:00

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