Arizona and UCLA Renew Basketball Rivalry
- Arizona and UCLA have agreed to play three basketball games over the next four years.
- The rivalry will start with a match in downtown Phoenix on Dec. 14.
- Fans of both teams can look forward to exciting matchups in the coming years.
PHOENIX (AP) — The storied basketball rivalry between Arizona and UCLA is set to continue, with the two teams scheduling three games over the next four years. The first matchup will take place on December 14 in downtown Phoenix, followed by a game in 2025 as part of the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas, and another in 2027 in Los Angeles. This agreement comes as both teams navigate their new conference affiliations, with Arizona now in the Big 12 and UCLA joining the Big Ten. Historically, Arizona and UCLA have faced off 113 times, with the Bruins leading the series 63-50. The rivalry has been a significant part of college basketball, drawing attention from players, coaches, and fans alike. Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd expressed the importance of this rivalry, stating that it has been meaningful for decades and has featured many basketball icons. He looks forward to adding new chapters to this competitive history. UCLA head coach Mick Cronin echoed Lloyd's sentiments, emphasizing the mutual benefits of continuing the rivalry. He highlighted the strong basketball traditions and passionate fan bases of both schools, underscoring the importance of maintaining their competitive relationship despite recent conference changes. The upcoming games promise to reignite the excitement surrounding this classic matchup in college basketball.