Hello, UCLA: Bruins make statement in upset of Arizona to start season - USA Today

If last season taught us anything, the best way to kick start a run to the Final Four is to make an opening-month statement in Las Vegas.

UCLA would like to make the claim this time around.

The Bruins started the college basketball season with the most impressive outing of opening night, notching the first top five upset of the season in a 84-75 win over No. 4 Arizona in the Sin City.

An old school Pac-12 battle, this was framed to be as another big out for Arizona, playing in the pseudo-McKale Center North to take over T-Mobile Arena and begin another run to the Final Four. UCLA was an unknown, with no knowledge of how it would attack in what could be a slugfest or high-speed affair.

It ended up being both − and UCLA punched the Wildcats right in the mouth.

The versatility of the Bruins shined in every way, showcasing a range of depth Mick Cronin has spent his entire tenure searching for. The new leader, Trent Perry, was a true floor general commanding the offense and taking matters into his own hands when needed. Serbian newcomer Nikola Kusturica wasn't hitting shots, but showcased a range of skills while playing nearly the entire game − without turning the ball over. Texas Tech transfer Jaylen Petty was the sharpshooter with Eric Daily Jr. and Xavier Booker knocking down critical shots.

In total, UCLA had all nine people that came on the court score, getting contributions from every one.

Defensively, UCLA had no answer for Ivan Kharchenkov, Arizona's Energizer bunny who had a career-high 38 points and propelled a near second half comeback.

However, that was the only thing going for the Wildcats.

UCLA made every other Arizona player work hard, seemingly shocking a team made with a great blend of experience and freshman star power. Big 12 preseason player of the year Motiejus Krivas was collecting rebounds but had limited opportunities at scoring, held to just eight points with the Bruins' hard-nosed defense focused on limiting his impact near the basket. Highly-touted freshman Caleb Holt had seven points and four missed 3-pointers.

There was nothing flukey about it. UCLA controlled this one, leading for the final 33 minutes of the game.

Everyone knows Cronin for his raging sideline antics and brash exchanges with reporters.

On Monday night, we saw a different side of Cronin: a smiling one, and you can understand why.

Cronin tasted the Final Four with an unlikely run as a No. 11 seed in 2021, and has been chasing that high ever since, ending every year in extreme disappointment since then. It's taken longer than desired, but this is a squad having its coach, known for his hot-head, happy.

"We're more athletic than we've been," Cronin said postgame on the TNT broadcast. "I have not had a bad day coaching this team, and I know that's hard for everybody to believe out there."

It's coincidental UCLA took down Arizona considering one year ago the Wildcats did the same thing when they beat defending champion Florida in the same arena to open the season. A few weeks later, Michigan won the Player's Era Festival in dominant fashion in Las Vegas.

Those two ended up in the Final Four, with the Wolverines winning it all.

Could it be déjà vu this time around?