Mick Cronin enters his seventh season at UCLA with another contender in the making. The Bruins are coming off a 23–11 finish and a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance, and their second year in the Big Ten begins with a non-conference schedule built for rhythm and readiness.

Fans at Pauley Pavilion will have plenty to enjoy early on. The Bruins play the majority of their non-league games in Los Angeles, with just a few neutral-site tests sprinkled in.

November 3 – Eastern Washington (Home)

The Bruins open their season with a matchup designed to get the rotation in sync. This early tune-up gives Cronin a chance to experiment with lineups and playing tempo before tougher opponents arrive.

November 7 – Pepperdine (Home)

Two California programs square off in what should be an entertaining in-state clash. UCLA’s length, defense, and athleticism should prove too much for the visiting Waves.

November 10 – West Georgia (Home)

UCLA wraps up its early homestand against West Georgia. It’s an ideal opportunity to get bench players meaningful minutes while continuing to build chemistry across the roster.

November 14 – Arizona (Neutral, Los Angeles)

One of the marquee matchups of November, this game rekindles an old Pac-12 rivalry. UCLA has taken four straight over the Wildcats and leads the all-time series 64–50. Their last meeting ended with a tight 57–54 Bruin victory.

November 18 – Sacramento State (Home)

Back at Pauley Pavilion, this mid-November matchup allows Cronin to continue fine-tuning his rotations. Expect a defensive focus and plenty of lineup experimentation.

November 21 – Presbyterian State (Home)

The final game of a comfortable early home stretch. This matchup offers one more chance for the Bruins to iron out details before their neutral-site and Big Ten challenges begin.

November 25 – California (Neutral, San Francisco)

Another familiar foe returns to the schedule. UCLA and Cal meet in San Francisco in a renewal of their classic Pac-12 rivalry. The Bruins have won 34 of 52 meetings, including a 61–60 nail-biter in 2024.

December 13 – Gonzaga (Neutral, Seattle)

This is the big one. UCLA meets Gonzaga in Seattle for a high-profile showdown between two West Coast powers. The Bulldogs have won seven of the past ten, but UCLA took the most recent matchup last December. Expect intensity, tempo, and national attention.

December 17 – Arizona State (Home)

UCLA’s third meeting with a former Pac-12 rival comes against Arizona State. The Bruins have dominated this series historically, winning 35 of 49 games. Their 2024 meeting was a defensive grind that ended with ASU scoring just 47 points.

December 19 – Cal Poly (Home)

It’s been more than a decade since these two programs faced off. The Bruins won that 2010s matchup 88–83 and should again have the edge with superior depth and athleticism.

December 23 – UC Riverside (Home)

The Bruins close out their non-conference schedule with another in-state contest. UCLA has never lost to UC Riverside, holding a perfect 6–0 mark in the series. Their last meeting was a narrow one-point Bruin win in 2023.

Ready for the Big Ten Grind

UCLA’s non-conference lineup is heavy on home games and familiar faces, providing the ideal runway for conference play. The Bruins’ first Big Ten test comes on December 3 at Washington, but the early schedule gives them time to find rhythm, identity, and momentum.

With depth, experience, and a defense-first mentality, Cronin’s squad is built to make noise once again in March.