Early January sent the Bruins into a downward spiral.

But since losing four in a row against Big Ten competition, coach Mick Cronin’s group rattled off five consecutive wins – the longest active streak in the conference.

“After those few games that we had lost, we had our talk as a team,” said sophomore guard Sebastian Mack. “We can’t just keep laying down and letting guys come beat us. … We know we can compete with the best of them, and we’ll beat the best of them.”

UCLA men’s basketball (16-6, 7-4 Big Ten) will face No. 9 Michigan State (18-3, 9-1) on Tuesday night in arguably its toughest test of the 2024-2025 campaign. If the Bruins are to continue their winning ways, they’ll have to upset their highest-ranked opponent of the season and the Big Ten’s top dog.

There is, however, blood in the water.

USC handed Michigan State its first and only conference loss of the season, 70-64, Saturday at the Galen Center – the same Trojans the Bruins defeated 82-76 on Jan. 27.

To add, Tyler Bilodeau – UCLA’s leading scorer – appears to be back near full strength after suffering an ankle injury against Washington on Jan. 24. In the junior forward’s return to the lineup Thursday, Bilodeau put up 15 points off 5-for-8 shooting in 28 minutes on the court against Oregon.

And Eric Dailey Jr. has continued to prove a steady presence throughout the season. Against the Ducks, the sophomore guard/forward delivered 21 points – his second-highest total this season.

“Gym time,” Cronin said. “Eric Dailey spends more in the gym on his shooting and he’s the most dedicated guy I’ve ever coached.”

While Cronin has been quick to admit that the Bruins weren’t good last season, it’s been UCLA’s returners who’ve helped prop up recent successes.

Junior guard Dylan Andrews averaged 11.8 points over his last five games after averaging 2.3 in the previous six.

Despite making just one start this season, Mack is the Bruins’ third-leading scorer, averaging 10 points a game.

And Aday Mara averaged 13.3 points over his last four games – including his first career double-double against USC on Monday and a career-high 22 points against Wisconsin on Jan. 21.

However, it’s not the sophomore center’s offense that has caught his coach’s eye.

“His defense has grown immensely. Last year, I spent half the year yelling ‘manos arriba,'” Cronin said, employing the Spanish phrase for “put your hands up.”

And although Lazar Stefanovic’s on-court production is far from the 11.5 points and 6.1 rebounds he averaged per game last season, the senior guard has still played a role in the Bruins’ success.

“Lazar’s a professional,” Cronin said. “And he’s been great for Aday because they share an apartment. He literally gives Aday a lights-out time. He’s like his dad.”

Cronin added that the leadership of players such as Dailey and Stefanovic rubs off on the whole team. And for the Bruins, the pieces may be falling into place right when they need them to the most.

“Each game we’re getting better,” Dailey said. “We’re going to peak at the right time.”

UCLA and Michigan State tip off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pauley Pavilion.