UCLA Bruins Suffer Blowout Loss to Michigan State

The Bruins were outmatched and outplayed in an 82-59 defeat against the Spartans.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The UCLA Bruins suffered a lopsided 82-59 loss to the Michigan State Spartans, marking their second consecutive blowout defeat against a Big Ten opponent. The Bruins struggled mightily on both ends of the floor, shooting just 37% from the field and getting outrebounded by 10. Head coach Mick Cronin was criticized for his in-game management, failing to call timely timeouts as Michigan State went on an 18-0 run that set the tone for the rest of the night.

Why it matters

This loss, coupled with the previous defeat against Michigan, raises serious concerns about UCLA's ability to compete at the highest level and puts their NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. The Bruins' defensive woes and offensive inefficiency have been recurring issues that need to be addressed if they want to turn their season around.

The details

UCLA scored just 23 points in the first half and could not find their rhythm offensively, finishing the game shooting 37% from the field. The Bruins were outrebounded 37-27, giving Michigan State extra possessions. Mick Cronin's coaching was also criticized, as he failed to call timely timeouts that allowed the Spartans to go on an 18-0 run that put the game out of reach.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.

The players

Mick Cronin

The head coach of the UCLA Bruins, who has struggled to get his team to perform at a high level in recent games.

Skyy Clark

A UCLA player who was one of the few bright spots, scoring in double digits for the Bruins.

Tyler Bilodeau

Another UCLA player who scored in double digits, but the Bruins' overall offensive production was not enough to keep up with Michigan State.

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What’s next

The Bruins will look to bounce back in their upcoming matchup against Illinois, a game that could have major implications for their NCAA Tournament hopes.

The takeaway

UCLA's struggles in recent games against Big Ten opponents have raised serious concerns about the team's ability to compete at the highest level. The Bruins need to address their defensive issues and offensive inefficiency if they want to turn their season around and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.