UCLA's Bilodeau and Dent Garner Big Ten Honors
In a significant nod to their standout performances, UCLA's senior basketball stars have been recognized by the Big Ten Conference. The dynamic duo of Bilodeau and Donovan Dent received accolades that highlight their contributions on the court this season.
Bilodeau, a towering 6-foot-9 forward hailing from Kennewick, Wash., has been named to the All-Big Ten third team by both the media and coaches. This isn't his first rodeo; it's the second consecutive year he's earned this honor. Additionally, he's been acknowledged for his exemplary conduct as one of the 18 players on the Big Ten Men's Basketball Sportsmanship Team.
His stats speak volumes. Bilodeau is making waves in the Big Ten, ranking 10th in scoring with 18.0 points per game.
He's also leading the pack in 3-point shooting percentage at a remarkable 46.2% and is fifth in overall field goal percentage. Not to be overlooked, he's eighth in free throw percentage, hitting 86.5% of his shots from the line.
Since transferring from Oregon State in 2024, Bilodeau has been a powerhouse for the Bruins, consistently scoring in double figures in 26 out of 29 games and hitting the 30-point mark three times.
Meanwhile, Donovan Dent, a 6-foot-2 guard from Riverside, Calif., has been turning heads as well, earning an honorable mention. Dent has been pivotal in orchestrating the Bruins' offense, averaging 13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and leading the team with 7.5 assists per game. Nationally, he's fourth in assists and sixth in assist-turnover ratio, showcasing his playmaking prowess with eight games of double-digit assists and seven double-doubles.
The conference also celebrated other top performers. Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg took home the Big Ten Player of the Year award, while Illinois' Keaton Wagler was named Freshman of the Year.
Defensive honors went to Michigan's Aday Mara, and Nebraska's Braden Frager was recognized as the Sixth Man of the Year. The coaching accolades were split, with Michigan's Dusty May earning the media's Coach of the Year and Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg receiving the coaches' vote.
The Bruins, holding the No. 6 seed, are gearing up for the Big Ten Tournament. They'll face off against either No. 11-seed Minnesota or No. 14-seed Rutgers on Thursday evening. The tournament action unfolds at the United Center in Chicago, and fans can catch the game on the Big Ten Network.
As the tournament kicks off, UCLA's stars are set to shine, bringing their A-game to the court in a bid for Big Ten glory.