University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Men's Basketball Tabbed Third in Pac-12 Preseason Poll
October 11, 2023 | Men's Basketball
LAS VEGAS โ The UCLA men's basketball team has been selected third in the annual Pac-12 men's basketball preseason media poll, as announced by the Pac-12 Conference on Wednesday morning.
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The Bruins picked up four of 26 first-place votes in the preseason media poll. Arizona received 18 first-place votes and was picked to finish in first place, while USC tallied four first-place votes and was slotted in second place.
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Last season, UCLA went 31-6 and won the Pac-12 regular-season crown with an 18-2 mark in Pac-12 play. UCLA finished as the runner-up to Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament's title game in Las Vegas (lost, 61-59, at T-Mobile Arena). The Bruins advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season with wins over UNC Asheville and Northwestern at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The Bruins lost to Gonzaga, 79-76, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the Sweet 16.
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The 2023-24 Pac-12 preseason media poll includes Oregon at fourth place, followed by Colorado (fifth), Arizona State (sixth), Utah (seventh), Stanford (eighth), Washington (ninth), Washington State (10th), California (11th) and Oregon State (12th).
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Media members have correctly picked the Pac-12 Conference winner 18 times in 34 tries, including six times during the Pac-12 era (since 2011-12). The winner has been accurately chosen in 22 of the 39 all-time preseason votes.
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Bruins' head coach Mick Cronin and junior Lazar Stefanovic and sophomore Adem Bona are representing UCLA at Pac-12 Men's Basketball Media Day (more information) on Wednesday at the Park MGM in Las Vegas. Bona was listed as a preseason first-team All-Pac-12 selection on Tuesday (news release).
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UCLA will return to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom for an exhibition game against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Tuesday, Oct. 31. That game time and broadcast information has not been determined. The Bruins' regular-season schedule will begin on Monday, Nov. 6, as the Bruins host Saint Francis University. Game time of the regular-season opener is 8:30 p.m. (PT).
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UCLA's season-opening contest against Saint Francis University will take place as part of a Bruins' basketball doubleheader. The UCLA women's basketball team will host Purdue, prior to the men's basketball contest that night.
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TICKET INFORMATION: UCLA's season ticket packages for the 2023-24 men's basketball campaign are now available. Fans can call (310) 206-5991 or emailย tickets@athletics.ucla.eduย for more information. Single-game tickets for UCLA's nonconference home games will be available later this month. For more information about tickets, call UCLA Athletic Sales & Service at (310) 206-5991 or via email at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu.
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| Rank | Team | Votes (First-Place) | 2022-23 Record | 2022-23 Pac-12 Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Arizona | 303 (18) | 28-7 | 14-6 |
| 2. | USC | 264 (4) | 22-11 | 14-6 |
| 3. | UCLA | 249 (4) | 31-6 | 18-2 |
| 4. | Oregon | 228 | 21-15 | 12-8 |
| 5. | Colorado | 210 | 18-17 | 8-12 |
| 6. | Arizona State | 148 | 23-13 | 11-9 |
| 7. | Utah | 139 | 17-15 | 10-10 |
| 8. | Stanford | 131 | 14-19 | 7-13 |
| 9. | Washington | 108 | 16-16 | 8-12 |
| 10. | Washington State | 94 | 17-17 | 11-9 |
| 11. | California | 67 | 3-29 | 2-18 |
| 12. | Oregon State | 42 | 11-21 | 5-15 |
