The idea of ​​UCLA being in the Big Ten is difficult to calculate on its own. The reality of UCLA perpetuating the Big Ten stereotype of intentional and defensive basketball in 2025 is somehow more confusing.

The Big Ten is on the verge of breaking its historic mold. Twenty years ago the conference was regularly the slowest in America. In the KenPom era, the league never cracked the top 20 in conference pace until this year.

Thanks to an influx of new coaches, philosophies and schools – meaning new schools other than UCLA – the league is now ranked seventh nationally.

The Bruins want to drag games into the dirt and create an old-fashioned Big Ten game. They strive to eliminate the transition offense, force long possessions with their defensive pressure, and win games in the 60s.

They are the fourth-slowest team in the Big Ten with 66.8 possessions per game. Michigan has played a game slower than 68 possessions this year, and UCLA has played eight – including against fast teams like Gonzaga, Arizona and Washington.

Tonight will feel like something new, but the recipe for an away win in a game like this hasn’t changed.

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