This post was updated Nov. 7 at 11:08 p.m.

Change looked necessary after coach Mick Cronin’s first losing season in Westwood.

And change is what he got.

Touting the No. 9 transfer class in the country – including four of six transfers from Power Five schools – No. 22 UCLA men’s basketball (1-0) will take on New Mexico (1-0) on Friday night at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada. The Mountain West opponent will mark the Bruins’ first road trip of their 2024-2025 campaign.

Though UCLA dominated Rider in its 35-point victory Monday, it’ll have to cook up a new recipe for success against the veteran-filled and rebounding-oriented New Mexico unit.

“They got two fifth-year seniors on the front line, old guys. So to be able to play big and not drop off offensively is an advantage,” Cronin said. “To be able to play small, not drop off on the backboard, is what you’re looking for.”

New Mexico will enter Friday night’s affair coming off a seven-point victory over Nicholls – where three Lobos boasted double-doubles.

Center Nelly Junior Joseph spearheaded the Lobos’ attack against the Colonels, notching 28 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks on a 60% clip from the field.

The Benin City, Nigeria, local spent his first three years with Rick Pitino – father of New Mexico’s head coach – at Iona, where he garnered a MAAC Rookie of the Year honor and two first team All-MAAC selections before transferring to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Joining Joseph on the front line is forward Mustapha Amzil – the reigning Mountain West Co-Sixth Man of the Year after accumulating 162 points through conference play, the most of any New Mexico player who didn’t make a start.

Amzil also shot 39% from 3-point range in Mountain West matchups last season – creating a deep threat for New Mexico that UCLA will need to contain.

“The expectation here is defense, and so we live by that,” said junior guard Dylan Andrews. “We come in here every day knowing that our offense is going to come. But defense, we have to be able to get stops, and our main goal here is 40 deflections a game. We feel like if we can get 40 deflections, we could come out with the result.”

New Mexico’s backcourt is equally as equipped as the Amzil-and-Joseph-led frontcourt. Guard Donovant Dent – a second-team All-Mountain West selection last season – leads the unit. The floor general put up 15 points and 11 assists against Nicholls in his fourth career double-double. His facilitating role on the Lobos’ squad creates space for other ball handlers to play off the ball.

Guard Tru Washington, who is entering his sophomore year, is more fresh to the college basketball world. Nevertheless, he’s proven no stranger to the bright lights and lofted expectations that accompany Division I basketball.

The Phoenix local posted nine double-digit performances as a freshman for the Lobos last season. The four-star recruit not only came in as the team’s highest-ranked recruit in the last decade, but he also tied New Mexico’s freshman steal record of 49.

The Lobos’ elite defensive capabilities don’t stop with Washington. Against Nicholls, New Mexico recorded 10 blocks and 10 steals – marking the second time in as many seasons that the team achieved the feat.

Four of UCLA’s five starters against Rider were new to Pauley Pavilion, while three other newcomers saw minutes off the bench. With a plethora of personnel changes, it’s yet to be seen if the newfound talent on Cronin’s squad has translated to team chemistry.

“I feel like we met each other in the middle. We are all coming from different seasons, different outcomes,” said sophomore guard Sebastian Mack. “We all met each other in the middle, spoke to each other about what’s our plan going forward, and then we all got the same goal in mind, which is winning.”

The Bruins will test their luck against the Lobos on Friday at 8 p.m. in Henderson.