UCLA Survives UCF in NCAA Tournament Opener

In a tightly contested first-round matchup of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the seventh-seeded UCLA Bruins edged out the tenth-seeded UCF Knights with a score of 75-71 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The Bruins, who improved to 24-11, faced significant challenges, particularly in the absence of their leading scorer, Tyler Bilodeau, who was sidelined due to a knee injury. Despite this setback, UCLA showcased resilience, with Eric Dailey Jr. leading the team with 20 points, while Xavier Booker contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.

UCLA Survived the First Round — But It Was Far From PrettyCBS SportsAssociated Press

UCF, finishing their season at 21-12, was led by Jordan Burks, who scored 22 points, including six three-pointers. The Knights fought back from a 14-point deficit, narrowing the gap to just three points in the final seconds, but ultimately fell short.

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The game began with UCLA struggling offensively, missing their first seven shots, allowing UCF to establish an early lead. However, the Bruins quickly regained composure, going on a 14-2 run to take control. Despite their initial dominance, UCLA's inconsistency reared its head, allowing UCF to claw back into contention, particularly in the second half.

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UCLA's Trent Perry and Donovan Dent played pivotal roles, with Perry scoring crucial layups during key moments and Dent contributing ten points and six steals. The Bruins' defensive efforts, particularly in forcing 17 turnovers from UCF, were instrumental in maintaining their lead.

UCF Knights vs UCLA Bruins, Prediction, Preview, Odds

UCF's late-game surge, fueled by Burks' three-pointers, showcased their fighting spirit. However, their struggles at the free-throw line, where they converted only 5 of 16 attempts, ultimately hindered their chances of victory.

Men's Hoops Comeback Falls Short in NCAA Tournament First Round

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin acknowledged the team's need for improvement, stating, "We didn’t throw it to Xavier inside against the switch at the last six minutes of the half. We talked about doing it, and he was able to get four interior baskets." He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and execution as they advance in the tournament.

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UCF coach Johnny Dawkins reflected on the game, noting, "We had our chances, but we couldn't capitalize when it mattered most." He praised his team's resilience despite the loss, highlighting their ability to fight back from significant deficits.

Men's Hoops Comeback Falls Short in NCAA Tournament First Round

Despite the victory, UCLA's performance raised concerns about their consistency. Analysts pointed out that the Bruins' inability to maintain a lead against a lower-seeded team like UCF could pose challenges in future rounds, particularly against higher-ranked opponents such as the projected second-round matchup against No. 2 seed UConn.

UCLA Survived the First Round — But It Was Far From Pretty

UCLA will face the winner of the matchup between No. 2 seed UConn and No. 15 seed Furman in the second round. The Bruins will need to address their late-game execution and scoring consistency, especially with Bilodeau expected to return. UCF's season concludes with a record of 21-12, marking their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance, but they will look to build on this experience for future seasons.

UCLA Survived the First Round — But It Was Far From Pretty

• “Looks like a boxer,” — Mick Cronin, Head Coach, UCLA, referring to Skyy Clark's injury during the game.

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