UCLA’s 2026-27 non-conference slate is loaded with tests, and the first month alone should tell a lot about where the Bruins stand before Big Ten play arrives.
It starts fast. On Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, UCLA opens against Arizona, a team coming off a trip to the Final Four and chasing a National Championship. Tommy Lloyd has put together another championship-caliber roster, which makes that opener a brutal early measuring stick.
The Bruins do get a softer stretch after that, and it could matter a lot for a roster with plenty of newcomers. Beginning Nov.
6, UCLA plays North Florida, Long Beach State, Cal State Fullerton, Delaware, and then an opponent that still hasn’t been announced for Nov. 11.
Reports indicate that final game will be against a mid-major, though the contracts still need to be finalized.
That run should give UCLA a real chance to settle in. The schedule lines up in a way that should help the Bruins stack wins while they work on chemistry and get everyone on the same page.
Then comes the San Diego multi-team event, where the competition gets serious again. UCLA will be joined by Saint Mary’s, Texas, and Georgetown. The Bruins open against Saint Mary’s on Nov. 26, and the next game will depend on that result, with Georgetown or Texas waiting on the other side.
Georgetown looks like the most manageable opponent in that group, but Saint Mary’s is usually a tough out. Texas, meanwhile, has built what could be one of the best rosters in the country through the transfer portal. That combination gives UCLA a chance to face teams that could sharpen the group quickly if the Bruins are trying to reach a championship-level standard.
UCLA also gets another major name on the schedule in early December. On Dec. 5 in Anaheim, the Bruins will face Gonzaga, a matchup that should carry plenty of weight for both teams. Gonzaga will have championship hopes of its own, and the game should offer an early glimpse of what a March-type showdown can look like.
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UCLA Just Made A Big Student Section Push At The Perfect Time
UCLA Athletics is making a major student-section play at a time when the Bruins could use every bit of energy they can get. Starting Saturday, admission to all regular-season home football, mens basketball and womens basketball games will be free for UCLA students, a move that should make it easier to pack the seats and give the program a more consistent home-edge feel across its biggest sports.
Students will be able to claim complimentary tickets through their student ticket accounts, and those who already bought 2026-27 Den Passes are set to receive refunds. The school also outlined details on guest tickets and transportation options, a sign UCLA is not just opening the door wider but trying to make the whole game-day experience simpler for students to show up and stay involved. [Read more 🡒]
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UCLA Is Spotlighting One Of Woodens Most Decorated Bruins Ever
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His resume did not stop at college. Wicks was a two-time consensus All-American before UCLA retired his No. 35 jersey, and he went on to become the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft, where he won Rookie of the Year and later made four All-Star teams. The latest spotlight on him is another reminder of how central he was to the Bruins identity, both in the Wooden era and beyond. [Read more 🡒]