It was quite the debut for the 2026-2027 UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team, with the season getting underway with an exhibition game against California Baptist on Wednesday. UCLA picked up a 100-53 win in a dominant showing for Mick Cronin’s team.

On the Dailey

For UCLA to compete at the top of the Big Ten Conference, the team will need some returners to take the next step. One of those returners is Eric Dailey Jr., who played perhaps his best game as a Bruin. Dailey scored 25 points while hitting seven of his nine three point attempts.

UCLA debut for Nikola Kusturica

Serbian freshman Nikola Kusturica lived up to the hype too, scoring 10 points but showcasing his all-around game. Kusturica added eight rebounds, six assists with five steals and two blocks. If Kusturica doesn’t have to immediately take on the burden of the team’s primary scorer, he will excel as UCLA’s 17-year old jack-of-all-trades.

Balanced starting unit for the Bruins

Cronin went for a starting lineup of Dailey and Kusturica at the forward positions, with Trent Perry and Jalen Petty in the backcourt with Xavier Booker at center. That’s a talented starting lineup, loaded with scoring options and provides defensive versatility on the backend.

Plenty of intensity for the exhibition game

The game was against California Baptist but UCLA’s effort was on full display. The team brought down 57 rebounds and were in passing lanes all night, leading to countless steals for the UCLA defense.

Joe Philon got it going early

Joe Philon impressed off the bench too, slamming home a big breakaway dunk and playing with high intensity for a freshman getting his first taste of college basketball.

UCLA will hope to have plenty of more important wins this season but Wednesday was a good beginning for this year’s Bruin squad.