Uncharted territory often brings unanticipated obstacles with it.

What is most unexpected, though, is all of these challenges brewing together.

After starting the 2024-2025 season with an 11-2 record – including decisive victories over Arizona and then-No. 12 Oregon – and a later win over then-No. 14 Gonzaga, No. 22 UCLA men’s basketball appears to have entered a storm. Constant travel, rushed practice schedules and injuries in a new conference known for its physical nature have resulted in a three-game skid for the Bruins.

After falling by 19 to then-No. 24 Michigan on Tuesday, UCLA traveled to College Park, Maryland, only to face an 18-point thumping by the Terrapins on Friday night. Now, coach Mick Cronin’s squad is stuck on the East Coast until Monday, when UCLA will play Rutgers at Jersey Mike’s Arena.

While congested travel has led to reduced practice time and rushed training schedules, the timing of the Bruins’ travel schedule has also impacted results.

“In defense of our players: We had one day to prepare. We had to travel on a five-hour, 50-minute flight. They got home Sunday, they got two extra days – and now Rutgers is sitting at home, and they got an extra day,” Cronin said. “I haven’t mapped all this out, but I sure hope it swings our way at some point.”

Cronin added that the strength of UCLA’s schedule combined with the timing of the team’s games contributed to its losing stretch. In five of UCLA’s last eight contests, it faced opponents that have been inside the nation’s top 25 at some point this season.

The Bruins have gone 3-2 through that period – with one of those being a 76-74 loss to North Carolina, despite UCLA leading for the majority of the game.

“We are on a tough stretch of games. We got to dig in,” Cronin said. “I knew it was going to be tough the first year in the Big Ten. … It is what it is.”

Further, despite a nine-game winning streak early in the season, the Bruins have fallen in four of their last five outings, including the most recent three. UCLA has conceded 239 points in its last three contests while being outscored by 45.

It appears the team’s woes have come from lackluster play in the backcourt. Junior guard Skyy Clark is averaging just 6.5 points per game despite playing 25.1 minutes per game, while sophomore guard Sebastian Mack has shot 17 for 45 from the field in the last five contests. The guard tandem has also committed 17 turnovers over that stretch.

“At the end of the day, you can say what you want to say, but we have to get better guard play in any high major league,” Cronin said. “Someone’s got to get 15. Someone’s got to take care of the ball. We have been inconsistent – … and that’s just the truth.”

Junior guard Dylan Andrews – UCLA’s leading scorer last year with 12.9 points per game – went 6 for 30 from the field and committed 10 turnovers across the Bruins’ last five contests.

Ultimately, turnovers have largely dictated the Bruins’ three-game skid, losing possession 21 times against Maryland and 15 against Nebraska.

“Being careless with the ball – that’s really all it is,” said senior guard Kobe Johnson. “We have to be stronger with the ball. We know what type of league this is, we know how teams are going to play us – so we have to be able to take care of the ball.”