Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin talks to Tyler Bilodeau (34), Kobe Johnson (0), Eric Dailey Jr. (3) and Dylan Andrews (2) in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during a college basketball game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

UCLA Claims High Seed in Latest March Madness Projection

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Mick Cronin's UCLA Bruins are entering the 2025-26 season with some of the most upside in college basketball.

In ESPN's latest Men's Bracketology: 2026 NCAA Tournament Prediction, Joe Lunardi has the Bruins as a 4-seed in the South (Houston) Region of March Madness. UCLA is one of 11 Big Ten members projected to make the postseason. The other 4-seeds in Lunardi's prediction include Arkansas, Illinois and Auburn.

UCLA's Projected March Madness Bracket:

Florida
St. John's
Arizona
UCLA
Gonzaga
Ohio State
NC State
Texas
Baylor
Ole Miss
Memphis
UC Santa Barbara
McNeese (Bruins' projected matchup)
South Dakota State
Florida Gulf Coast
Navy

Following a stunning transfer portal that netted them Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent and Michigan State big man Xavier Booker, Mick Cronin addressed the issues that plagued them all season and is primed for Final Four contention.

How Dent Changes UCLA

The point guard and Cronin are aligned, and Dent detailed how he plans on fitting in the system.

"We knew that last year they didn't really have that at the point guard position," Dent said during Tuesday's media availability. "When [Cronin] called me, he knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted to play faster, because that's how his defense is. His defense creates faster offense, so he felt like I could fit right into that system. He just needed someone he could trust with the ball in their hand.

"I felt like that's what I could bring to the table, and we talked about that. We talked about playing a lot in the pick-and-rolls, and he's been doing that a lot in practice. So I'm excited to see what we're going to get going during the season."

This article first appeared on UCLA Bruins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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