In this game, UCLA coach Mick Cronin is aiming for his 500th career college win, which would make him the youngest active coach in Division I to reach this milestone.

Ohio State is set to face UCLA at Pauley Pavilion in a pivotal college basketball matchup on February 23, 2025.

The game will also pay tribute to the late Bill Walton, a legendary figure in UCLA's basketball history.

As the regular season winds down, UCLA is focused on improving their NCAA tournament seeding, while Ohio State finds themselves outside the tournament picture.

Ohio State enters the game struggling, having recently suffered a significant 70-49 loss to Northwestern, which marks their fourth defeat in six games.

Meanwhile, UCLA is looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Minnesota, where they squandered a double-digit lead in the second half.

UCLA is favored to win the matchup by 6.5 points, thanks to their recent performance and strong defensive capabilities.