The Bruins are returning to Westwood for their first home game since suffering back-to-back blowout defeats to then-No. 2 Michigan on Feb. 14 and No. 15 Michigan State on Tuesday – falling by a combined 53 points. UCLA men’s basketball (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten) will face No. 10 Illinois (22-5, 13-3) on Saturday evening at Pauley Pavilion, its first home contest since Feb. 7. Daily Bruin Sports editor Connor Dullinger breaks down the Fighting Illini’s strengths and weaknesses.

Personnel:
Coach: Brad Underwood
Starting lineup: Guard Keaton Wagler, Guard Kylan Boswell, Forward Jake Davis, Forward David Mirkovic, Center Tomislav Ivisic
Best player: Keaton Wagler
X-factor: David Mirkovic
KenPom ranking: No. 4
Adjusted offensive rating: 132.3 (No. 1)
Adjusted defensive rating: 97.9 (No. 24)
Adjusted tempo: 65.5 (No. 292)

UCLA may finish the hardest three-game stretch of any team in the country Saturday.

The Bruins have played three top 15 teams in the AP Poll, including the No. 1, No. 4 and No. 10 net-ranked teams in KenPom. Two of the teams – Michigan and Illinois – rank in the top four in offensive efficiency, and another two – Michigan and Michigan State – rank in the top seven in defensive efficiency.

And the Bruins will face the No. 1 offensive team in the nation Saturday.

The Fighting Illini are led by guard Keaton Wagler – a four-star prospect out of high school who has taken the nation by storm, going from underrecruited to a projected top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Wagler leads the team with 18.1 points per game, shooting an ultra-efficient 42.9% from beyond the arc. He is a prolific scorer, converting professional-level shots from all three phases.

The guard boasts a smooth, quick-release jump shot that he feels comfortable unleashing off the dribble, on the catch-and-shoot, off-balance and through tenacious defensive pressure. Wagler has boasted eight 20-plus point games, including a career-high, 46-point performance against then-No. 4 Purdue on Jan. 24 and a 34-point outing against Wisconsin on Feb. 10.

His 6-foot-6 frame allows him to attack the rim and exploit smaller defenders in the paint. His lanky frame, combined with his smooth ball-handling and long strides, allows him to get the first step on defenders, giving him opportunities near the basket.

And despite his thinner build, he plays a lot stronger than he looks, creating space on the seal and working his way through and around opposing defenders.

Wagler’s offensive prowess attracts a multitude of defenders, allowing the guard to pick apart defenses with his facilitating abilities. He averages a team-leading 4.3 assists per game.

The projected lottery pick will most likely attract different defensive assignments, but if the Fighting Illini go bigger, then either senior guard Skyy Clark, senior guard Donovan Dent or sophomore guard Trent Perry will guard him.

However, if Illinois goes small, junior guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. will have to take Wagler.

And the Fighting Illini are most likely going to go with a bigger lineup, considering their interior prowess and the Bruins’ smaller roster and lack of rebounding proficiency.

Illinois ranks second in the conference in total rebounds, third in defensive rebounds and first in offensive rebounds. Moreover, seven Illinois players average at least four rebounds per game, while UCLA boasts just two players who eclipse that tally.

Dominating the interior is forward David Mirkovic and a tandem of centers in brothers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic. Mirkovic averages 13.1 points per game – ranking fourth on the team in scoring – on 47.6% and 39.4% shooting from the field and beyond the arc, respectively.

While Wagler is Illinois’ most prolific scorer, Mirkovic gives the likely NBA lottery pick a run for his money. Standing at 6-foot-9, Mirkovic boasts incredible touch and skill around the rim, using his body to dominate the glass, leading to a team-leading 7.8 rebounds per game.

Mirkovic relies on his bigger frame to create space in the paint and rise above opposing defenders, using his offensive skillset to convert off the glass in the post and off the floater in the paint.

While Mirkovic is an interior force, he also boasts proficient 3-point shooting, knocking down 39.4% from beyond the arc. He excels off catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, and can convert shots with defenders in his face.

Working with Mirkovic in the paint are the 7-foot Ivisic brothers. Tomislav Ivisic averages 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while Zvonimir Ivisic averages 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

But what separates Tomislav Ivisic from other big men is his shooting prowess, converting on 34.8% of his 3-point attempts.

Redshirt senior forward/center Steven Jamerson II and junior forward/center Xavier Booker may have their hands full with Tomislav Ivisic, who despite his size, boasts quick feet to slip off the screen to get open beyond the arc. He also uses the shot fake and rip through to flash his driving and the pull-up bags.

Likewise, Zvonimir Ivisic – who stands at 7-foot-2 – is also a huge presence in the paint, but is not as offensively skilled as his brother. However, Zvonimir Ivisic is more of an athletic presence than his brother, using his long strides and arms to deflect passes and block shots, leading to transition buckets.

Zvonimir Ivisic can shoot and has a wide breadth of an offensive skillset, but may lack his brother’s efficiency.

Rounding out the Fighting Illini roster are guards Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic – elite backcourt options who can facilitate, play defense, dominate the boards and score at will.

Boswell – a four-year player across two years at each Arizona and Illinois – has started 89 games across his collegiate career. He is a savvy offensive veteran who averages 13.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

The guard is a veteran leader who can lead the team in scoring on any given night, excelling from deep and slashing toward the basket. However, he leads the team as the facilitating point guard, using his quick-twitch feet and ball-handling moves to carve out defenses and create opportunities for his teammates.

Finally, Stojakovic ranks second on the team in scoring, averaging 14 points per game on plus-50% shooting from the field.

The guard is a shoot-first player, who can light up opposing teams from deep, having scored six 20-plus point games this season, including his 30-point performance against Maryland on Jan. 21. He also stands at 6-foot-7, allowing him to take advantage of smaller guards in the post or driving to the rim.

UCLA will have to have a complete game for 40 minutes to beat one of the most complete rosters in the nation.