The first AP Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll is here, and Mick Cronin’s UCLA Bruins are projected to be one of the top teams in the nation ahead of the new season.
The first preseason poll was released on Monday, and UCLA came in at No. 12.
The Bruins are one of the highest-ranked Big Ten teams in the polls and are one of six teams in the conference to make the coveted top 25. UCLA is joined in the conference by Purdue (1), Michigan (7), Illinois (17), Michigan State (22) and Wisconsin (24). Other conference opponents like Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon, USC and Washington received votes as well.
Mar 14, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
One of the reasons for the high rankings is Cronin retaining four key players from last year’s team, which finished 23-11, and the star-studded addition of New Mexico guard and Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent.
Before even taking the floor in a UCLA uniform, Dent was already generating buzz as one of the nation’s best players.
Mar 23, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Mexico Lobos guard Donovan Dent (2) dribbles the ball defended by Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Second Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The season may be a ways away, but UCLA‘s potential entering the 2025-26 men’s basketball season is undeniable.
A transfer portal headlined by the addition of New Mexico point guard Donovan Dent makes Mick Cronin’s Bruins one of the best teams to watch this year. ESPN sure thinks so.
Mar 23, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Mexico Lobos guard Donovan Dent (2) dribbles in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the NCAA Tournament Second Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jeff Borzello, ESPN basketball recruiting insider, listed his early men’s NCAA basketball Top 25 rankings, and has UCLA ranked 15th overall. He turned to the addition of Dent as the catalyst and projected him as the most likely Bruin to win a national award this season.
“UCLA entered the offseason knowing it needed to upgrade its perimeter playmaking, and it landed an elite point guard in Dent,” Borzello wrote. “He averaged 20.4 points at New Mexico last season, earning Mountain West Player of the Year honors. His usage rate might drop with the Bruins because he’s surrounded by more talent, but he’ll remain among the best point guards in America.”
After finishing their first season in the Big Ten Conference with a 23-11 record UCLA’s trajectory is looking up for next season.
Mar 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin (center) talks with guard Skyy Clark (55) and guard Lazar Stefanovic (10) in the second half against the Southern California Trojans at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
UCLA finished the season with the 164th overall offense with similar low rankings in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free throw shooting.
With Dent addressing a dire need for improvement offensively, the Bruins are primed to build off the momentum of their inaugural season in the Big Ten by proving to be a true contender in the college basketball stratosphere.
Mar 19, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA head coach Mick Cronin speaks with media during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images / Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
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