UCLA Upsets No. 5 Arizona to Open Season With 84-75 Victory

UCLA upsets No. 5 Arizona to open 2026-27 season

The No. 22 UCLA men’s basketball team opened its season with a statement victory on Monday night, defeating No. 5 Arizona 84-75 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Trent Perry led the Bruins with a game-high 21 points, providing the offensive spark necessary to withstand a late-game surge from the Wildcats. According to a report from uclabruins.com, the win marks UCLA’s first victory over a top-five ranked team in the AP poll since they defeated No. 4 Purdue at Pauley Pavilion on January 20, 2026.

While Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov delivered a massive individual performance with 38 points and 10 rebounds, UCLA relied on a balanced attack and disciplined ball movement to maintain control. The Bruins’ ability to protect their lead during critical stretches proved to be the difference between a season-opening loss and a high-profile win. The victory also extends UCLA’s success in season openers under head coach Mick Cronin, bringing his record in such contests to 7-1.

Bruins find rhythm through ball movement and rebounding

UCLA’s success was built on efficient offensive execution and a dominant presence on the glass. The team finished the game with 16 assists and limited themselves to just seven turnovers, a combination that prevented Arizona from capitalizing on transition opportunities. Perry and Jaylen Petty were central to this rhythm, combining for 12 assists and only two turnovers.

𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐊 … No. 22 UCLA will open its season against No. 5 Arizona on Monday evening in Las Vegas. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. (PT), with the Bruins’ contest to be televised on TNT, truTV and HBO Max. 📝: https://t.co/giGqcfJJrs 🗓️: https://t.co/T5ULO5XXaQ pic.twitter.com/O3rhcBn7j7

— https://x.com/UCLAMBB/status/2116634043051901227

The statistical impact of UCLA’s physical play was evident in their rebounding numbers. The Bruins recorded 16 offensive rebounds, a figure that exceeds their total in any single game from the previous season. This dominance on the boards, coupled with a team total of 45 rebounds, reflects a significant shift in their interior presence. To put that in perspective, the Bruins’ 45 rebounds were their highest in a single game since their victory over Ohio State on February 23, 2025.

UCLA Player	Points Scored
Trent Perry	21
Eric Dailey Jr.	13
Jaylen Petty	12
Nikola Kusturica	10

Coach Mick Cronin emphasized that the victory was less about individual scoring totals and more about the intangible elements of the game. After the win, Cronin highlighted the players’ understanding of the broader requirements for success.

“We have great people on our team,” Cronin said. “They’re smart enough to understand that the least important thing on the stat sheet is total points. They get it. They understand that basketball is about what you do without the ball, how you communicate, and everything else that contributes to winning.”

Arizona struggles to close the gap in late-game pressure

Despite the loss, Arizona showed why they entered the contest ranked No. 5. The Wildcats mounted several second-half charges, most notably reducing a 16-point UCLA cushion to a single point at the 3:11 mark of the final period. Led by Kharchenkov and Derek Dixon, who added 18 points, Arizona’s offense surged just as the Bruins appeared to be losing momentum.

The turning point arrived when Xavier Booker, playing in a high-stakes environment, hit a three-pointer to push UCLA ahead 74-70 with 2:59 remaining. This was followed by a decisive paint basket from Eric Dailey Jr. and a series of perfect free throws from Perry, who went 11-for-11 from the stripe. The closing sequence was bolstered by a cross-court pass from freshman Nikola Kusturica to Dailey Jr., resulting in a dunk that solidified the lead with 40 seconds left on the clock.

Arizona vs UCLA – FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | November 2, 2026 | College Basketball

The game also served as a debut for several new faces in the Bruins’ rotation. Junior Sergej Macura, sophomore Azavier Robinson, and freshmen Nikola Kusturica and Joe Philon III all made their appearances. Kusturica, in particular, made an immediate impact with 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals.

UCLA will look to carry this momentum back to Los Angeles for their home opener. The Bruins are scheduled to host North Florida at Pauley Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 6, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. (PT). The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.