UCLA Hosts Michigan in High-Stakes Big Ten Basketball Clash

LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men’s basketball team will face off against Michigan in a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup on Tuesday evening at Pauley Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PT, with the game streaming nationally on Peacock. This marks the first meeting between the two programs since UCLA’s 51-49 victory over Michigan in the 2021 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

UCLA, ranked No. 15 nationally, enters the game with an 11-3 record, while Michigan is 3-0 in Big Ten play and recently re-entered the top 25 rankings. The Bruins are coming off a 66-58 loss to Nebraska, while Michigan narrowly defeated USC in their last outing. Both teams are looking to make a statement in this early-season conference showdown.

The Bruins boast one of the nation’s top defenses, ranking No. 6 in scoring defense (59.2 points per game) and No. 5 in turnovers forced per game (17.8). Junior guard Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game, while senior guard Sebastian Mack has been a defensive standout with 30 steals this season.

Michigan, under head coach Dusty May, has shown resilience this season, overcoming deficits in multiple games. The Wolverines’ ability to handle UCLA’s defensive pressure will be crucial, as the Bruins lead the country in forcing turnovers. Michigan’s Danny Wolf is expected to play a key role in the paint, where UCLA has been strong defensively.

This matchup is the first between the two teams at Pauley Pavilion since December 2016, when UCLA won 102-84. Michigan won the following year’s meeting in Ann Arbor, 78-69, in overtime. The Bruins are 8-0 at home this season, while Michigan has yet to lose in conference play.

Fans can purchase single-game tickets for UCLA’s remaining home games, including this matchup against Michigan. Parking at Pauley Pavilion is available through UCLA’s ePermit Portal or the Parkmobile app. The Bruins will continue their Big Ten schedule with upcoming games against Iowa, Wisconsin, and Oregon.