Mick Cronin Says Bruins Are 'Beyond Expectations' After 84-75 Win Over Arizona

No. 5 UCLA defeated No. 5 Arizona 84-75 on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The victory marked the season opener for the Bruins in the Hall of Fame Series.

Head coach Mick Cronin described the contest as an opportunity to determine the true capability of his roster. The result suggested the team is performing well beyond expectations. UCLA faced a shortened lineup, missing forward Filip Jovic after he sprained his left ankle during Friday practice. Jovic, a transfer from Auburn, attended the game in a protective walking boot and is considered day to day for the next few days.

The Bruins established a 43-29 lead at halftime. That advantage expanded to 16 points early in the second half before Arizona mounted a comeback. The Wildcats closed the gap to three points with 42 seconds remaining. Freshman Nikola Kusturica threw a long inbounds pass to Eric Dailey Jr. for a breakaway dunk. Xavier Booker then blocked a subsequent Arizona attempt. Kusturica was fouled on the next play and made two free throws to secure the win.

Trent Perry led UCLA with 21 points, including a perfect 11 for 11 at the free-throw line. Eric Dailey Jr. and Jaylen Petty each added 13 points. Freshman Joe Philon III and Xavier Booker both hit three-pointers during the game. Sergej Macura contributed a rare four-point play in the first half, hitting a three-pointer and the resulting free throw after being fouled.

Arizona relied heavily on Ivan Kharkchenkov, who scored 38 points for the Wildcats. The home crowd initially favored Arizona, filling the arena with chants during player introductions. The atmosphere shifted as the game progressed. By the final moments, the silence in the building was palpable.

UCLA players pointed to a group of fans who traveled from Westwood to support the team. Those fans stayed after the game to chant Perry’s name as he left the court. The win reverses a recent trend of losses for the Bruins in this specific arena. UCLA had previously lost to Gonzaga in the 2023 Sweet 16 and to Baylor in the same season while playing in Las Vegas.

The Bruins managed a difficult defensive situation throughout the contest. Foul trouble plagued the team, with two players having three fouls and three others having two fouls at one point. Arizona went to the free-throw line frequently, making 12 of 16 attempts. UCLA responded by switching to a zone defense that disrupted the Wildcats' offensive rhythm. The strategy included a 14-0 run in two minutes during the first half.

The win gives UCLA a 1-0 start to its nonconference schedule. The result addresses a lack of quality nonconference victories from the previous season, which saw the team finish with a seven seed in the NCAA Tournament.