Mick Cronin and the No. 12 UCLA Bruins officially tip off the highly-anticipated 2025-26 season against the Big Sky’s Eastern Washington Eagles.

Backed by UCLA’s star-studded transfer portal addition of Donovan Dent, the Bruins’ ceiling is higher than it’s been in recent season, and yet Westwood still has its fair share of doubters.

The Bruins also have some key returners, like Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr. and Skyy Clark, who are all primed to elevate their games next to Dent.

With that being said, let’s get into our first UCLA men’s basketball preview of the season.

UCLA is the start of EWU’s gauntlet non-conference schedule, which includes the Bruins, Washington State, Utah and No . 8 BYU.

The Eagles’ leading scorer from last season, Andrew Cook, returns this season. Cook averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

This is the second time the Bruins are matching up with Eastern Washington all time. The last matchup came during the 2011-12 season when UCLA beat the Eagles 60-47 in the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

What: UCLA Bruins vs. Eastern Washington Eagles
When: Monday, Nov. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m. (PT)
Where: Pauley Pavilion (Westwood, California)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: AM 790 (KABC)

1. Donovan Dent, PG

What more is there to say about Dent? The 2024-25 All-American was one of, if not the, most impactful transfers of the offseason, and he is poised to raise Cronin’s offensive ceiling this year.

The elite playmaking guard showed flashes of his impact in UCLA’s two preseason exhibition games, where, despite struggling from the field, showed the poised scoring and facilitating ability that drew Cronin’s eyes to him.

Against an opponent like Eastern Washington, elite guards like Dent can really flex their guns. Look for Dent to set up his teammates more rather than trying to get his own bucket on Monday.

2. Eric Dailey Jr., Forward

Dailey is one of UCLA’s most impactful returners, and he’s primed for a big season next to Dent. He averaged 11.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 33 games last year, showing flashes of his potential as a scorer.

Ahead of this season, Dailey has been named to the 20-person watch list for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year award. Dailey’s scoring is integral to UCLA’s success. Last season, the Bruins were 16-2 when he scored at least 10 points in a game.

Dent elevates the players around him. Don’t be surprised if we see a leap year for Dailey.

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Kali Humann of Massapequa dribbles past the Port Washington defense during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Mia Holihan of Massapequa during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship against Port Washington on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Kali Humann of Massapequa dribbles past the Port Washington defense during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Massapequa defeats Port Washington to win the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Tatum Brennan of Massapequa battles for possession with Lily Longaro of Port Washington during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Kali Humann of Massapequa takes a shot on goal against Port Washington goalkeeper during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Kali Humann of Massapequa dribbles past the Port Washington defense during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Massapequa defeats Port Washington to win the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Sophia Bolognini, left, and Ella Van Nostrand of Massapequa during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Aliya Hassett of Massapequa battles for possession with a Port Washington defender during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Kali Humann of Massapequa controls the ball in the first half during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship against Port Washington on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Lily Longaro of Port Washington controls the ball during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship against Massapequa on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Lexi Raskin of Port Washington controls the ball during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship against Massapequa on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Lyla Grosso of Port Washington battles for possession with Massapequa defense during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Olivia Pennacchia of Port Washington battles for possession with Sophia Bolognini of Massapequa during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Aliya Hassett of Massapequa battles for possession with a Port Washington defender during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Lyla Grosso of Port Washington battles for possession with Massapequa defense during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Brooke Donnellan of Massapequa dribbles past a Port Washington defender during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Massapequa defeats Port Washington to win the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Kali Humann of Massapequa dribbles past the Port Washington defense during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Kali Humann of Massapequa battles for possession with the Port Washington defense during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Sophia Bolognini of Massapequa faces Lexi Raskin of Port Washington during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Olivia Pennacchia of Port Washington controls the ball in the first half during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship against Massapequa on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Massapequa defeats Port Washington to win the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Aliya Hassett of Massapequa battles for possession with a Port Washington defender during the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Massapequa defeats Port Washington to win the Nassau Class A field hockey championship on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Adelphi.

Juvenile curfew order was imposed in Washington DC on Saturday after Halloween evening misbehaviour. Executive Office of Washington DC Mayor on November 1 announced restrictions on movement of those below 18 during nighttime over the next few days, in the wake of disorderly behaviour in the past weeks.

The decision follows Halloween-related incidents where young people engaged in brawling, blocked streets and endangered public safety. “The behavior on Halloween evening – which included young people brawling, blocking streets, and moving into commercial establishments in large groups, endangering both themselves and others in the area – follows several weekends of similar behavior by youth in neighborhoods across the District,” the notice issued by Mayor Muriel Bowser states.

Curfew time: From 11:00 PM till 6:00 AM

Curfew last date: November 5

‘All juveniles are subject to a curfew’

Muriel Bowser in a post on X stated, “We are declaring a limited juvenile curfew in Washington, DC. Effective immediately, all juveniles under the age of 18 are subject to a curfew from 11PM until 6AM, which will extend through 11/5.”

Clarifying the reason for the curfew, Muriel Bowser added, “This is in response to several weeks of disorderly juvenile behavior which endangered both themselves and others.”

This comes after five youth were arrested on October 31 by the police and one officer suffered minor injuries. Besides the curfew, the police will designate special zones which are at high risk for disorderly conduct. These locations will have longer curfew times, beginning as early as 6:00 PM.

Furthermore, the notice warns the youths against declaration of temporary curfew zone in case of a group gathering of more than seven youth citing threat to “safety of the youth, residents, or the public.”

List of Special Juvenile Curfew Zones

On Saturday night, Chief of Police Pamela A Smith announced several of the above mentioned “Special Juvenile Curfew Zones” as specified here:

• Navy Yard
• near the U Street Coridor
• Banneker Recreation Center near Howard University
• Union Station

The Navy Yard juvenile curfew zones covers the stretch between Interstate 695 and the Anacostia River on the north and south. It covers the area between 8th Street SE in the east and South Capitol in the west, FOX5 reported

The designated zone near the U Street Corridor covers the stretch between 9th Street NW and Florida Avenue in the east and 15th Street from T Street to V Street NW in the west. It covers the area between V Street and Vermont Avenue NW in the north and T Street NW in the south.

The zone at Banneker Recreation Center stretches between Georgia Avenue NW and 9th Street NW to the east and west. It covers the area between Euclid Street NW and W Street NW to the north and south.

The zone at Union Station covers the stretch 3rd Street NE and North Capitol Street NE to the east and west. It covers the area between H Street NE and D Street NE to the north and south.