Here’s a bold statement: the Big Ten, long celebrated as a football powerhouse, is quietly staging a basketball revolution. But here’s where it gets controversial—while the conference has historically lagged in March Madness glory since Maryland’s 2002 championship, its recent realignment with the Pac-12 is reshaping its identity. And UCLA men’s basketball is at the heart of this transformation.
The Big Ten’s basketball resurgence isn’t just hype—it’s backed by numbers. Last season, the conference sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament, with four reaching the Sweet Sixteen. The 2026 KenPom rankings further cement this shift, placing seven Big Ten teams in the top 25. UCLA, ranked No. 10 nationally and third in the conference behind Purdue and Illinois, is poised for a breakout year in its new conference home.
And this is the part most people miss—UCLA’s success isn’t just about talent; it’s about experience. The Bruins return a core of seasoned players, including senior guard Skyy Clark, senior forward Tyler Bilodeau, and junior guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. Add sophomore guard Trent Perry, a key bench player, and you’ve got a lineup built for consistency. As coach Mick Cronin noted, “Returning players are a premium these days,” and UCLA’s veterans are a luxury in today’s transfer-heavy landscape.
But the real game-changer? Preseason All-Big Ten selection Donovan Dent. The former Mountain West Player of the Year, who transferred from New Mexico, is a Naismith Player of the Year contender and a transformative force. Cronin praises his open-court dominance and elite passing but is pushing him to tighten his defense and ball security. “He’s got real offensive talent,” Cronin said, “but it’s a process.”
Here’s the controversial take—while Dent is a star, Cronin emphasizes that the offensive load isn’t solely on his shoulders. Skyy Clark, who found his rhythm late last season, is a clutch off-ball shooter now that Dent runs the offense. Clark’s growth is a testament to UCLA’s supportive culture, as he reflected, “My teammates and coaching staff instilled a lot of confidence in me, and it showed in the final games.”
Yet, UCLA’s biggest challenge isn’t on the court—it’s in the air. The Bruins face a grueling travel schedule, with three of their first eight Big Ten games on the road, including trips to Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State. Cronin admits, “Travel will hit us at some point; it’s just a matter of when.” Bilodeau, however, sees it as preparation for March Madness: “It’ll help us get our bearings for the season and our ultimate goal.”
So, is the Big Ten’s basketball rise for real? And can UCLA navigate its travel hurdles to contend for a title? What’s your take? Let’s debate in the comments—is this the year the Bruins and the Big Ten prove the doubters wrong?
