Five takeaways from UCLA MBB's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win

The No. 6 seeded UCLA men's basketball team got the surprise win over the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans at the United Center in Chicago in the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday.

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin had his team ready for their rematch against the Spartans and they were able to take down one of the top teams in the conference and country. Michigan State was able to keep the game close, but the Bruins were in charge of the game, managing to hold a lead for 83 percent of it, according to ESPN.

Here are five takeaways from UCLA's quarterfinal win against Michigan State in their conference tournament.

Bring the physicality

UCLA struggled against the Spartans in their previous matchup as they were bullied and pushed around in a humiliating defeat. It was a different story this time around with the Bruins consistently going blow-to-blow with Michigan State as they shot 56 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc.

Although there is plenty of tuning up UCLA could do ahead of their game against with Purdue as Michigan State outrebounded them 34-26. Especially with the Bruins allowing the Spartans to get double the amount of their offensive rebounds (16-6).

Home away from home

The Bruins have struggled to win meaningful games away from the Pauley Pavilion, but UCLA has played hard and taken down a ranked opponent for the first time this season away from home. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't a blowout, but it was enough to right their horrific blowout against the Spartans earlier this season. Now the Bruins have won two games at the United Center as they march to the semifinals on Saturday.

Dent's everywhere

Redshirt senior guard Donovan Dent put the team on his back as he led the game with 23 points, 12 assists and four steals. Dent as stepped it up in the Tournament and although he didn't get another triple-double, his double-double will suffice. Not to mention the breathtaking plays he made to take down the Spartans, like his three three-pointers and his game sealing steal in the game's final moments.

Stepping up

UCLA lost senior forward Tyler Bilodeau with a leg injury in the first half of the game and although he came back to the bench after halftime, he did not step back on the court. The Bruins needed more from the rest of the team to pull off the win and they got it with multiple players playing some of their best ball of the season.

Senior guard Skyy Clark stepped up on defense and put up 15-points and sophomore guard Brandon Williams coming off the bench to get six-points and three steals. Junior guard Eric Dailey Jr. also made plays with 14-points, snagging a team-leading, 10-rebounds and tied Dent with four steals.

Perry's plays

Sophomore guard Trent Perry was the second option to Dentwith 22-points, while shooting 6-of-10 from the field, half of his three-pointers and six free-throws to increase UCLA's lead at the end of the game. Perry has shown moments of stardom throughout the regular season and his performance against Michigan State should play a significant part in his confidence throughout the rest of the tournament.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Five takeaways from UCLA MBB Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win