UCLA men's basketball has found success recently, and much of it can be attributed to the performance of sophomore center Aday Mara. The Bruins have gone 6-0 when Mara plays at least 20 minutes, showcasing the correlation between his presence on the floor and the team's victories. Coach Mick Cronin noted, "6-0 with 20 (minutes played)," illustrating their winning streak against formidable opponents such as then-No. 18 Wisconsin, Washington, USC, then-No. 16 Oregon, then-No. 9 Michigan State, and Ohio State.
Mara's offensive game has taken off during this stretch, averaging 11.5 points per game—significantly more than his season average of 5.9. Over these six games, he has also contributed 6.3 rebounds and blocked 3.2 shots per outing. His growth is not solely offensive; Cronin emphasized, "If you look analytically at our two-point defense when he’s in the game, it’s exponentiallybetter." Mara's height and defensive prowess have helped disrupt opposing offenses.
Despite his notable contributions, Mara faced challenges, including a bout of norovirus, which limited his playing time to just 11.3 minutes over four matches following his performance against Michigan State on February 9, 2025. Fans were eager to see him return to form, especially after witnessing his transformation throughout the season compared to his freshman year, where he averaged only 3.5 points across 9.5 minutes.
During their matchup against Purdue on February 28, Mara struggled defensively against the agile Trey Kaufman-Renn, leading to Cronin limiting his playing time to just six minutes. Junior guard Skyy Clark reflected on the factors contributing to victories, stating, "It’s rarely going to come down to the Xs and Os. It’s really going to come down to who’s the grittiest team, who wants it more, who’s going to box out and do all the little things." This sentiment echoed throughout the locker room as the team prepared for their upcoming game against Northwestern on March 3, 2025.
The Bruins are facing Northwestern, which presents another chance for victory against one of the weaker teams in the conference. Northwestern's Nick Martinelli leads the Big Ten with 19.9 points per game, making defense pivotal for the Bruins. Sophomore guard Sebastian Mack summed up their approach succinctly: "Listen and fight. And come out there swinging." With the pressure of the tournament season looming, the Bruins must find their rhythm and come out strong.
Looking at the NCAA tournament, the Bruins are projected as a 7-seed, according to CBS Sports' Jerry Palm. They are expected to face off against 10-seed West Virginia, who has proved to be competitive throughout the season, even besting notable teams like then-No. 3 Gonzaga and then-No. 7 Kansas. It’s been nearly two decades since the Bruins last faced the Mountaineers, ending with West Virginia narrowly winning 70-65 back in 2007. Palm noted the significance of their potential matchup, highlighting the intensity both teams must bring to advance.
With just two more regular-season games remaining, the Bruins are determined to enter the postseason on the right foot. Each game is more than just another notch on the win column; it’s about establishing identity and ensuring momentum going forward. The pressure to perform at home during these final moments is palpable, and the expectations have never been higher. Players and fans alike are holding onto hope for March Madness as this UCLA squad aims to redefine itself.
It's clear Aday Mara's minutes are not merely numbers; they symbolize hope, intensity, and the future of UCLA basketball as they navigate the challenges of achieving success this season. If they can leverage this momentum, the Bruins may prove to be one of the most formidable teams as they head to the tournament.