UCLA Stuns No. 18 Wisconsin in Thrilling 85-83 Victory

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The UCLA men’s basketball team secured a dramatic 85-83 victory over No. 18 Wisconsin at Pauley Pavilion on Tuesday night, fueled by standout performances from sophomore center Aday Mara and sophomore guard Sebastian Mack. Head Coach Mick Cronin’s strategic decisions and emphasis on mental preparation proved pivotal in the Bruins’ hard-fought win.

“Obviously, Wisconsin has a really good team,” Cronin said postgame. “They’ve won five in a row in the Big Ten. I am extremely proud of our guys. You have to stay ready and have the right attitude.”

Mara, who came off the bench, delivered a career-high 22 points, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. The sophomore from Spain, who had seen limited action in UCLA’s previous game, capitalized on the matchup against Wisconsin’s size. “The time is going to come where he [Mara] is going to have that kind of game,” Cronin said. “I commend Aday for having a great attitude and dealing with not playing in the last game and being ready tonight. He changed the entire game, no question about it.”

Mack also shone, scoring 15 of his 19 points in the second half. Cronin compared Mack’s tenacity to former Cincinnati standout Jaren Cumberland, noting his ability to excel in physical matchups. “When it’s time to play and it gets chippy, he gets really good,” Cronin said. “You have to have a guy like that on your team.”

Beyond scoring, Mack’s leadership stood out. “He’s growing, talking a lot more, taking responsibility,” Cronin added. “We need his toughness, and I need him to inject that into his teammates. It was obvious he was doing that tonight.”

One of Cronin’s key decisions came in the final defensive possession, when he subbed in junior forward William Kyle III, who had played sparingly in the second half. Kyle blocked a potential game-winning shot, sealing the victory. “We wanted to switch everything,” Cronin explained. “Will is a switch guy, and he can do it. Made me look smart.”

The win marked UCLA’s first victory over an AP-ranked opponent this season and underscored the challenges of competing in the Big Ten. “In leagues like this, you just have to win and get to the next one,” Cronin said. “You are always a week away from a losing streak, which we have found out, because you can play pretty good and still lose in this league.”

With the Bruins (13-6, 4-4) set to face Washington on Friday, Cronin emphasized the importance of growth, resilience, and teamwork. His postgame remarks highlighted the need for readiness, leadership, and seizing opportunities when they arise.