UCLA Bruins Suffer Crushing Defeat Against Wisconsin in Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS — The UCLA Bruins faltered in a crucial matchup against the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers, losing 86-70 in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals on March 14, 2025. The Bruins’ lackluster performance left them with more questions than answers as Selection Sunday approaches.

UCLA struggled to keep up with Wisconsin’s accurate shooting from beyond the arc, allowing the Badgers to set a record for three-pointers made by an opponent against UCLA during regulation. Wisconsin converted 19 of 32 attempts from long range, showcasing dominant ball movement and shooting precision throughout the game.

“We got our ass kicked,” UCLA head coach Mick Cronin stated bluntly after the game. “That’s the headline.”

Wisconsin advanced to face the top-seeded Michigan State in the semifinals, propelled by standout performances, including 26 points from John Tonje, who made all six Three-pointers he attempted.

Meanwhile, the Bruins’ offensive struggles compounded their defensive woes. They entered the tournament as a likely sixth seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament but were hindered by a shooting performance that saw them connect on just 32.4% of their field goals.

Sophomore guard Sebastian Mack, who contributed 18 points off the bench, reflected on the game saying, “We didn’t do none of what we were supposed to do game plan-wise. We failed miserably at that.”

The game began with Wisconsin hitting seven of their first eight three-pointers, building an early 10-point lead that the Bruins struggled to overcome. “We were out of character from the jump,” UCLA forward Kobe Johnson said, highlighting the team’s defensive lapses. “Just bad defensive mistakes.”

UCLA’s starters combined for a dismal 30 points with sophomore forward Aday Mara failing to score in six attempts. The lack of a cohesive offensive strategy left the Bruins overwhelmed by Wisconsin’s scoring blitz. “When we went under a couple of screens, we were late. They would drive, we would help, and they would kick it to an open guy,” UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau admitted.

Despite a small adjustment in the second half with a different lineup, UCLA could not stifle Wisconsin’s potent offense. The Badgers maintained their rhythm, ensuring that UCLA’s hopes of a comeback evaporated quickly.

Entering the tournament, UCLA was left with difficult decisions. Coach Cronin previously faced criticism over whether striving for a conference title or preserving energy for the NCAA tournament would be strategically wise. After Friday’s loss, the decision appeared made for him.

<p“This was a bad matchup for us,” Cronin reflected. “Recognizing that, we weren’t able to adapt our game plan effectively.”

The Bruins’ disappointing exit from the Big Ten tournament sends them back to Westwood with more questions than confidence as they await their next challenge in the NCAA bracket.