The Big Ten delivers one of its most intriguing matchups of the weekend on Saturday afternoon, as the UCLA Bruins travel to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines.
UCLA enters the game at 17-7 overall and 9-4 in conference play, tied with Wisconsin for sixth place in the Big Ten standings. The Bruins are coming off a narrow home win over Washington, their second straight victory, and are looking to solidify their NCAA Tournament résumé with a marquee road performance.
Michigan, meanwhile, has been one of the most consistent teams in the country. The Wolverines are 23-1 overall and 13-1 in league play, holding a two-game lead over Illinois atop the conference standings. They have won nine straight games and continue to look every bit like a legitimate national contender.
UCLA building momentum
The Bruins are averaging just under 79 points per game and have been one of the nation’s most efficient three-point shooting teams, knocking down nearly 39 percent from beyond the arc. Their perimeter scoring gives them a chance in any matchup, particularly against high-powered opponents.
UCLA begins a challenging two-game road swing with this trip to Ann Arbor before heading to Michigan State. After that, the Bruins return home to host Illinois on February 21 and USC on February 24. The regular-season stretch run closes with games at Minnesota, home against Nebraska, and a rematch at USC.
A road win over a top-tier Michigan squad would significantly boost UCLA’s postseason positioning and potentially elevate them several seed lines.
Michigan rolling at both ends
Michigan’s nine-game winning streak includes a comeback victory over Northwestern in which the Wolverines erupted for 52 second-half points. Prior to that, they dominated Ohio State on the road by 21 points.
Offensively, Michigan is elite. The Wolverines are averaging nearly 91 points per game, ranking among the top 10 nationally in scoring. They also control the glass, pulling down nearly 39 rebounds per contest, which ranks fourth in the country.
The schedule does not ease up. Following this matchup, Michigan travels to Purdue before stepping out of conference for a high-profile showdown at Duke on February 21.
UCLA vs. Michigan: Where and when
- Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
UCLA vs. Michigan: How to watch
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: FuboTV
UCLA vs. Michigan: Betting odds
- Spread: Michigan -16.5, UCLA +16.5
- Moneyline: Michigan -1887, UCLA +1800
- Total: 151.5
Projected starting lineups
UCLA Bruins
- #34 Tyler Bilodeau — 18.3 ppg
- #2 Donovan Dent — 13.7 ppg
- #1 Xavier Booker — 7.3 ppg
- #00 Trent Parry — 12.6 ppg
- #3 Eric Dailey Jr. — 11.3 ppg
Michigan Wolverines
- #23 Yaxel Lendeborg — 14.3 ppg
- #21 Morez Johnson Jr. — 13.5 ppg
- #15 Aday Mara — 11.4 ppg
- #3 Elliot Cadeau — 9.9 ppg
- #4 Nimari Burnett — 9.1 ppg
Big Ten tilt with major stakes
UCLA may be a sizable underdog, but this is not a team that will be intimidated by the conference leader. With seven losses already, the Bruins understand the importance of statement wins at this point in the season. A road upset would dramatically strengthen their NCAA Tournament profile.
Michigan, however, has been one of the most complete teams in college basketball. The Wolverines combine offensive firepower with rebounding dominance and have consistently handled high-pressure moments.
If UCLA shoots well from deep and limits second-chance opportunities, they can keep this competitive. But Michigan’s depth, pace, and scoring balance make the Wolverines the clear favorite in what should be one of the most compelling Big Ten matchups of the weekend.