The top rivalry on the West Coast is set to heat up once again as the UCLA Bruins and Gonzaga Bulldogs renew their long-standing feud on December 5 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Bruins are looking to snap a streak of eight consecutive losses to the Bulldogs, a record that dates back to their 12 all-time matchups.
The Zags are on a mission to make it nine victories over the Bruins, and with a talented roster, they're looking like a strong contender to do just that. The biggest storyline surrounding this game, however, is whether former UCLA lead guard Donova Dent will receive a fifth year of college eligibility from the NCAA and choose to transfer to Gonzaga.
Gonzaga has been busy building their schedule for the upcoming season, and it includes a number of high-profile matchups. They'll face off against the Purdue Boilermakers on November 2 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the UCLA Bruins on December 5 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Zags will also take on the Michigan State Spartans on December 19 at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.
UCLA, on the other hand, has a few key games lined up for the upcoming season. They'll face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks on October 2026 at the Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the Creighton Bluejays on December 12 at the Chi Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
The rivalry between UCLA and Gonzaga is one of the most intense on the West Coast, and with the stakes this high, it's going to be a game to watch. The question on everyone's mind is: will Donova Dent make the move to Gonzaga and help the Bulldogs secure their ninth victory over the Bruins?
The battle between the top teams in the Pac-12 Conference will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting from the 2026-27 season. The men's and women's basketball tournaments will be held at the same venue, under a two-year contract announced by Commissioner Teresa Gould.
The top two seeds in the tournament will receive double byes straight to the semifinals, while the third and fourth seeds will receive a bye to the quarterfinals. The tournament will take place from March 9 through 13, a day before Selection Sunday.
With the non-conference schedule in place, the stage is set for an intense battle between UCLA and Gonzaga. The question now is: will the Bruins be able to snap their losing streak to the Bulldogs, or will Gonzaga continue their dominance over their West Coast rivals? One thing's for sure: this game is going to be one for the ages.
Source: Yahoo Sports