UConn and UCLA to Face Off in NCAA Tournament Round of 32

Huskies and Bruins set for East Region showdown after first-round victories.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:37am

The University of Connecticut men's basketball team will take on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The two teams advanced to the Round of 32 after winning their respective first-round matchups.

Why it matters

This matchup between the Huskies and Bruins features two storied college basketball programs with rich tournament histories. The winner will move on to the Sweet 16, putting them one step closer to a potential national championship.

The details

UConn and UCLA both won their opening-round games to set up this highly anticipated second-round clash in the East Region. The Huskies defeated a tough opponent in the first round, while the Bruins also took care of business to advance.

  • The UConn-UCLA game is scheduled for Sunday, March 23, 2026.
  • The winner of this second-round matchup will move on to the Sweet 16 on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

University of Connecticut (UConn) men's basketball team

A storied college basketball program with multiple national championships and a reputation for excellence.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins men's basketball team

One of the most successful college basketball programs in history, with numerous national titles and a strong tournament pedigree.

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What’s next

The winner of the UConn-UCLA game will advance to the Sweet 16, where they will face the winner of the matchup between the #1 seed and the #4 seed in the East Region.

The takeaway

This second-round clash between UConn and UCLA promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two of college basketball's premier programs, with the winner taking a significant step towards a potential national championship.