The UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team will get an early-season test against a perennial NCAA Tournament team this season.
The Bruins released their matchups for the Rady Children’s Invitational, which will be held at Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego on Nov. 26 and 27.
Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) reacts against the UConn Huskies in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
In their first game, the Bruins are taking on a Bay Area basketball power: the St. Mary’s Gaels.
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St. Mary’s vs. UCLA could be a March Madness preview
The Bruins, who fell to the UConn Huskies in the second round of the tournament in 2026, are facing another tournament team in the Gaels, who lost in the first round to the Texas A&M Aggies.
St. Mary’s, a mid-major that competes in the West Coast Conference, has nonetheless become a fixture in March.
The Gaels have played in five straight NCAA tournaments, and excluding the canceled 2020 edition, seven of the past nine.
Despite the Bruins playing in the Big Ten, the two squads could find themselves playing again in March.
Who else will the Bruins play in the tournament?
The Bruins will play again on Nov. 27, facing off against either Georgetown or Texas.
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The winners will play for the tournament championship, while the losers will play in the third-place game.
How can I watch the tournament, and how much are tickets?
All games will be broadcast for those wishing to watch. Thursday’s games will be on FS1, while Friday’s games will be on Fox.
The first contest each day will begin at 11:30 a.m. PT, while the second tips off at 2 p.m. PT.
UCLA will play in the second game on Thursday, with the result of that game deciding which slot the Bruins will be in on Friday.
To attend the games in person, visit RadyChildrensInvitational.com for tickets, which range between $95 and $200 for access to all four games.
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In addition, for each ticket sold, $5 will go toward Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.
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