UCLA Basketball: Top 4 non-conference opponents for 2024-25 season

Last season did not go well for UCLA Basketball, starting at the very beginning. They lost two games in the Maui Invitational, followed by a four-game losing skid that included a home loss to Cal State Northridge. In the end, they finished 16-17 overall.

The Bruins and Coach Mick Cronin are hoping for a bounce-back campaign for the 2024-25 season. They have some strong opponents to deal with in the non-conference to watch for. Here's a look at the four marquee foes for the Bruins.

4. New Mexico Lobos

The Lobos did lose some key pieces this offseason, including starters Jamal Mashburn Jr. and Jaelen House. They do return Donovan Dent (14.1 ppg and 5.4 apg) and Nelly Junior Joseph, along with adding frontcourt transfers, Atiki Ally Atiki and Filip Borovicann. The Bruins might be favored when they play New Mexico but it should be a close bout.

3. Arizona Wildcats

Luckily for use, the former Pac-12 rivals will still face off, even after going to different conferences. What's not lucky for UCLA Basketball is that former Conference POY guard Caleb Love is back for the Wildcats, leading the team with 18.0 ppg last season. Joining him are frontcourt transfers Trey Townsend and Tobe Awaka, while 5-star wing prospect Carter Bryant is an impact freshman to watch.

2. North Carolina Tar Heels

Another Conference POY star guard returning is RJ Davis, who averaged 21.2 ppg and 3.5 apg last season for the Heels. Other key pieces are gone, including double-double machine, Armando Bacot. UNC was able to land a couple of impact transfers (Cade Tyson and Ven-Allen Lubin), along with a pair of incoming 5-star guard/wing prospects in Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. If sophomore ball-handler Elliot Cadeau takes another step in his development, UNC will have a top-5 national backcourt this season.

1. Gonzaga Bulldogs

One backcourt that's already proven to be great is Gonzaga's who brings back Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman. Adding to the depth is Arkansas transfer Khalif Battle, along with Michael Ajayi, who led Pepperdine with around 17 ppg and 10 rpg of production. Leading scorer Graham Ike is back at center, along with Ben Gregg and Dusty Stromer.

Even without Steele Venters (another season-ending injury), Gonzaga makes a strong case for being a top-10 team next season. These two programs always have instant classics when they play one another so don't be surprised if the 2024 edition follows suit.