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Dec 14, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) grabs a loose ball against UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Is This UCLA's Most Important Non-Conference Game?

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 11:00 AM ET

Non-conference basketball games are the perfect litmus test for college basketball teams. Especially those like UCLA, who are projected to be one of the best teams in the nation.

Many opponents on UCLA's non-conference schedule have been reveled, including a home-and-home series against former Pac-12 foe Arizona State, but one game stands out to ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello, who ranked the Bruins as the No. 15 team ahead of the season -- No. 14 vs Arizona in Inglewood, CA.

"An old Pac-10/12 rivalry game will double as a fascinating early-season measuring stick for these high-ceiling teams," Borzello wrote. "For the Bruins, it's a chance to see Donovan Dent against a talented backcourt. Dent is going to be the needle-mover for Mick Cronin, but the likes of Trent Perry and Skyy Clark taking a significant leap might make more of a difference for this group's potential."

The insider ranks the Wildcats just above the Bruins as the No. 13 team going into the season. Arizona is welcoming one of the best freshmen in the nation, Koa Peat.

UCLA Impressing National Pundits

Borzello isn't the only national pundit impressed with UCLA ahead of the season. Insider Jon Rothstein detailed how impressed he was with the entire squad when he visited Westwood last week.

"Mick Cronin has been coaching a long time, but he has never had a point guard as a head coach with the ceiling and passing capabilities of New Mexico transfer, Donovan Dent," Rothstein said in his reaction to UCLA on X (formerly Twitter). "[Dent] might be pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch, a top two point guard in college basketball in 25-26, along with Purdue's Braden Smith."

Rothstein's praise didn't stop with Dent, though. The Bruins' squad overall impressed the insider.

"UCLA also has two other players in addition to Dent, Eric Dailey and Tyler Bilodeau, who look like they boast All-Big Ten-caliber potential," Rothstein added. "You add in reliable, veteran guard Skyy Clark, and UCLA has a team that should push Purdue and Michigan at the top of the Big Ten standings.

"What are the x-factors for the Bruins in 25-26? Two players in particular, Michigan State transfer, Xavier Booker, and former McDonald's All-American, Trent Perry.

"If Booker, who is now playing as a five-man instead of the four, like he did at Michigan State, can give UCLA productivity at the five and more space at center, and Perry can play for the Bruins at the type of role that Denzel Aberdeen last year at Florida, UCLA should have, unequivocally, its best team since the Bruins were 27-4 at the end of the 22-23 regular season prior to season-ending injuries to both Jaylen Clark and Adem Bona, this could be Mick Cronin's best team since the 22-23 college basketball season."

Make sure to bookmark UCLA Bruins On SI to get all your daily UCLA Bruins news, analysis and more!

Read more on UCLA football and their momentous second season in the Big Ten and under DeShaun Foster here. While you're here, check out all things UCLA basketball and Mick Cronin improving the Bruins through the transfer portal here.