Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin talks to Tyler Bilodeau (34), Kobe Johnson (0), Dylan Andrews (2) and Eric Dailey Jr. (3) 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

Where UCLA Ranks in Recent CBB Preseason Poll

Originally posted on UCLA Bruins on SI | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 6:00 AM ET

The first AP Top 25 Men's College Basketball Poll is here, and Mick Cronin's UCLA Bruins are projected to be one of the top teams in the nation ahead of the new season.

The first preseason poll was released on Monday, and UCLA came in at No. 12.

The Bruins are one of the highest-ranked Big Ten teams in the polls and are one of six teams in the conference to make the coveted top 25. UCLA is joined in the conference by Purdue (1), Michigan (7), Illinois (17), Michigan State (22) and Wisconsin (24). Other conference opponents like Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon, USC and Washington received votes as well.

One of the reasons for the high rankings is Cronin retaining four key players from last year's team, which finished 23-11, and the star-studded addition of New Mexico guard and Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent.

Before even taking the floor in a UCLA uniform, Dent was already generating buzz as one of the nation's best players.

Donovan Dent Pegged as Potential Award Winner

The season may be a ways away, but UCLA's potential entering the 2025-26 men's basketball season is undeniable.

A transfer portal headlined by the addition of New Mexico point guard Donovan Dent makes Mick Cronin's Bruins one of the best teams to watch this year. ESPN sure thinks so.

Jeff Borzello, ESPN basketball recruiting insider, listed his early men's NCAA basketball Top 25 rankings, and has UCLA ranked 15th overall. He turned to the addition of Dent as the catalyst and projected him as the most likely Bruin to win a national award this season.

"UCLA entered the offseason knowing it needed to upgrade its perimeter playmaking, and it landed an elite point guard in Dent," Borzello wrote. "He averaged 20.4 points at New Mexico last season, earning Mountain West Player of the Year honors. His usage rate might drop with the Bruins because he's surrounded by more talent, but he'll remain among the best point guards in America."

After finishing their first season in the Big Ten Conference with a 23-11 record UCLA's trajectory is looking up for next season.

UCLA finished the season with the 164th overall offense with similar low rankings in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free throw shooting.

With Dent addressing a dire need for improvement offensively, the Bruins are primed to build off the momentum of their inaugural season in the Big Ten by proving to be a true contender in the college basketball stratosphere.

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

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