The UCLA men's basketball team will play in the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational at Orleans Arena on Nov. 22-23, 2018 in Las Vegas.
The four-team field in Las Vegas will also include Michigan State, North Carolina and Texas.
"We're excited to return to Las Vegas for what will be two terrific games on consecutive days at the Orleans Arena in November," said Steve Alford, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach. "With Michigan State, North Carolina and Texas, you're talking about a trio of fantastic programs with really strong basketball traditions. It's always good for our sport to see exciting non-conference matchups like these early in the season, and I know that our players will certainly be up for the challenge."
FOX Sports and FS1 will present television coverage of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational of doubleheaders scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23. Fans can purchase tickets for the Bruins' games at Orleans Arena by clicking here or visiting www.orleansarena.com/events.
UCLA will enter its 100th season of men's basketball in 2018-19 and will make its eighth trip to play in Las Vegas in a span of seven seasons. The Bruins have played in Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Tournament each of the previous six seasons and also competed in Nov. 2013 at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational, winning the tournament title with consecutive wins over Nevada and Northwestern.
Looking ahead to the 2018 tournament, UCLA has gone 5-2 all-time against Michigan State, 3-3 against Texas and 3-8 versus North Carolina.
All four teams competed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. UCLA compiled a 21-12 record, advancing to the "First Four" in Dayton, Ohio. Michigan State (30-5) won the Big Ten Conference regular-season title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's second round. North Carolina went 26-11 and saw its season end in the NCAA Tournament's second round. Texas posted a 19-15 overall record and lost a first-round NCAA Tournament game.
While UCLA's non-conference schedule has not been finalized, the Bruins will begin a home-and-home series with Notre Dame next season. UCLA is scheduled to host the Fighting Irish in Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, Dec. 8. That will mark the Bruins' first game on the hardwood against Notre Dame since Dec. 19, 2009.
In addition, the Bruins' schedule will include a road game at Cincinnati on Wednesday, Dec. 19, followed by a CBS Sports Classic showdown against Ohio State in Chicago at the United Center on Saturday, Dec. 22.
Season tickets for UCLA's 2018-19 men's basketball campaign are now available. Place a $99 deposit today to reserve the best seats in Pauley Pavilion. Call (310) 206-5991 or email tickets@athletics.ucla.edu or click here for more information.
Prince Ali (photo by Scott Chandler)
The 2018 tournament field includes UCLA, Michigan State, North Carolina and Texas.