UCLA Bruins Target Key Improvements for 2026-27 Season

The 2025-26 UCLA Bruins entered the season ranked No. 15, reached the Big Ten tournament final and advanced to the NCAA tournament’s second round. Yet defensive lapses, uneven secondary scoring and a 4-6 away record prompted head coach Mick Cronin to outline four priority areas for 2026-27.

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First, defensive consistency must improve; the Bruins swung between holding opponents under 70 points and allowing 80-plus, costing games. Senior center Xavier Booker and senior guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. are expected to anchor the defense. Second, secondary scoring will rely on senior guard Trent Perry after the offseason loss of top scorers Skyy Clark, Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau; Perry must shoulder most of the offense while new arrivals add depth. Third, rebounding and interior toughness are critical: UCLA ranked 259th in rebounding margin (-1) and 315th in rebounds per game, with Booker averaging about 3.5 boards. Transfers Sergej Macura, Filip Jovic and freshman Javonte Floyd are tasked with boosting the glass. Fourth, road performance must improve from a 4-6 away record; the team posted a 17-1 home mark but struggled outside the Pacific Time Zone.

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UCLA kept senior guard Trent Perry, senior center Xavier Booker and senior guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. The transfer influx added four players, led by Texas Tech guard-forward Jaylen Petty, who is expected to share backcourt duties with Perry. Additional interior depth arrives from Sergej Macura, Filip Jovic and freshman Javonte Floyd. The program is also monitoring Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, a stretch-four who posted 17.0 points per game on 50.6 % shooting and 48.7 % from three in his junior season; his skill set would complement Perry, Petty and Booker if he joins Westwood.

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Cronin stressed that “defense is a foundational principle of my programs,” and called secondary scoring “a critical area given the loss of three of our top five scorers.” He added that “improving rebounding and toughness will be essential to compete in the Big Ten,” and that the team must become “being more consistent on the road” to succeed.

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Analysts note that UCLA’s rim protection remains weak; Booker’s 3.5 rebounds per game rank far below elite standards for a 6-11 center. The heavy reliance on Perry as the primary scorer raises doubts about offensive balance after the departures of Dent, Clark and Bilodeau. Moreover, the 4-6 away record underscores persistent road-game issues that could impede Big Ten competition.

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The Bruins open the 2026-27 season with Perry, Booker, Dailey Jr., Petty, Macura, Jovic and Floyd, while awaiting Momcilovic’s decision on a Westwood commitment. Early non-conference games will test defensive cohesion, rebounding and road readiness. Progress in these areas will determine whether UCLA can contend for the Big Ten crown and move beyond the early rounds of the NCAA tournament.

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