IU Basketball Tip-Off: Hoosiers Start West Coast Tour Against UCLA

The Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball team is set to commence a challenging West Coast tour as they face the UCLA Bruins. The matchup will take place at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Saturday. This nail-biting contest marks a significant moment in the season for both teams.

Matchup Overview: Indiana vs. UCLA

Indiana enters the game with a record of 14 wins and 7 losses, including 5 wins against 5 losses in conference play. On the other hand, UCLA boasts a 15-6 overall record, with a 7-3 standing in the conference. The Bruins are currently favored by around 3.5 points, according to the point spread.

Historical Context

• UCLA leads the all-time series against Indiana with a record of 7-6.
• The last encounter took place on February 14, 2025, where UCLA emerged victorious with a score of 72-68.

Broadcast Information

The game will be available for fans to watch on Peacock, with commentary by Guy Huberman and Matt Muehlebach. Radio coverage will be provided by the IU Radio Network, featuring Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, and John Herrick. Fans can also stream the action via Peacock.

UCLA’s Coach Mick Cronin

Mick Cronin, now in his seventh season as head coach of the Bruins, has an impressive overall record of 153 wins and 70 losses. He began his coaching career at Murray State in 2003, accumulating significant accolades, including:

• Two OVC regular season championships.
• Two NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure with the Racers.
• Success at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to nine consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 2011 to 2019.

He has transformed UCLA into a formidable program, highlighted by a Pac-12 championship in 2023 and a Final Four run in the 2020-21 season.

Key Player Highlights

UCLA’s roster features standout players who have made significant contributions this season. Tyler Bilodeau has consistently scored in double figures, while Donovan Dent leads the team with an average of 13.1 points and ranks high in assists.

• Bilodeau has reached 20 points in seven games.
• Dent has recorded 132 assists, averaging 6.6 assists per game.

The Bruins have shown impressive teamwork, leading to a strong assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.58-to-1.

UCLA’s Performance Statistics

UCLA has maintained an effective shooting percentage this season, ranking second in the Big Ten for 3-point shooting at 37.6%. Additionally:

• The team has a free throw shooting percentage of 75.4%, ranking eighth in the Big Ten.
• UCLA has a strong record of 13-1 when leading at halftime and 14-1 when achieving a lead of 10 points or more.

The matchup promises to be a competitive clash, with both teams bringing their A-game to the court. Indiana is anticipated to provide a tough challenge, especially following a notable victory against Purdue earlier in the week. The game at Pauley Pavilion will be crucial for both squads.

Match Prediction

Experts have projected a close game, with UCLA slightly favored at 73-67. Indiana aims to break the tough road game curse against strong opponents, making this matchup a pivotal moment in their season.

Stay tuned for coverage of the game and other developments in the world of college basketball at Filmogaz.com.