UCLA Beats Arizona 84-75 to Jump into Top 15

UCLA defeated Arizona 84-75 on Monday to move to No. 14 in the college basketball rankings. The win marks the highest placement for the Bruins in the updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 list. Florida holds the No. 1 spot after beating Miami 77-67 on the same day.

The victory served as the opening night game for the 2026-27 season for many teams. It represented the largest win by a non-elite program in that timeframe. Coach Mick Cronin appeared in high spirits during his postgame interview. TNT broadcaster Brian Anderson noted that Cronin was smiling widely while speaking with reporter Allie LaForce.

This mood matches observations from Big Ten Media Day in Houston last month. During that event, Cronin laughed often and seemed unusually relaxed. Reporters who spoke with him noted his cheerful demeanor. They joked that his happiness might signal an unexpectedly strong season for the Westwood program.

Cronin, who is 55 years old and in his eighth year as UCLA head coach, did not explicitly call this his best team ever. However, his tone suggested strong confidence in the roster he has assembled. The team has now started the season with a win over a ranked opponent.

The Bruins will play their next game on Friday. They host North Florida at Pauley Pavilion. Following that contest, UCLA will begin its Big Ten schedule in early December. Their first conference opponent is Oregon, and the game will take place on the home court.

The ranking update reflects the immediate impact of the Arizona win. The Bruins climb into the top half of the poll based on that single result. The next opportunity to solidify their position comes on Friday against North Florida.