UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) celebrates his basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Jae C. Hong - AP
UCLA forward Xavier Booker (1) celebrates with fans after the team defeated Illinois in an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Jae C. Hong - AP
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, center, reacts to a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) pressures Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
This season, there is no doubt of who has separated themselves from the rest of the field. Duke, Arizona and Michigan ‌are in a class of their own.
UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) celebrates his basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
UCLA forward Xavier Booker (1) celebrates with fans after the team defeated Illinois in an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, center, reacts to a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) pressures Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.