Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) handles the ball during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

UCLA Takes Leap in Latest March Madness Projection

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 6:00 AM ET

Mick Cronin's UCLA Bruins are entering the 2025-26 season with some of the most upside in college basketball, coming in as the No. 12 team on the official Preseason AP Top 25 Poll.

In ESPN's latest Men's Bracketology: 2026 NCAA Tournament Prediction, Joe Lunardi has the Bruins as a 3-seed in the East (Washington D.C.) Region of March Madness. The other 3-seeds in Lunardi's prediction include Louisville, BYU and Tennessee.

UCLA's Projected March Madness Bracket:

Florida
UConn
UCLA
Arizona
North Carolina
San Diego State
Ohio State
NC State
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
VCU
Akron
UC Irvine (Bruins' projected matchup)
St. Thomas-Minnesota
Florida Gulf Coast
Navy

UCLA's addition of New Mexico transfer and Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent, along with other key transfers, gave the Bruins a huge boost going into the season. The star guard is already creating some preseason buzz.

Donovan Dent Recognized in Preseason Conference Awards

Mick Cronin landed one of the most dynamic players he's had in his tenure coaching the UCLA Bruins in New Mexico transfer guard Donovan Dent.

Just under a month until the long-anticipated 2025-26 season starts, Dent is already making waves in a newer, bigger conference than he's used to. The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year was one of 10 hoopers to make the preseason All-Big Ten Men's Basketball team, the Big Ten announced Tuesday.

Here's the list of names on the Big Ten's preseason team:

Donovan Dent, UCLA
Braden Smith, Purdue
Bennett Stritz, Iowa
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Nate Bittle, Oregon
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
John Blackwell, Wisconsin

Dent will be one of the biggest names to watch in all of college hoops, not just the Big Ten. He has a skillset that Cronin hasn't had at point guard in his career.

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