How UCLA’s Massive AP Poll Jump Comes With New Expectations

UCLA began the college basketball season at No. 22 in the preseason AP poll, but has been vaulted to the top 10 following a crucial win over Arizona in the season opener in Las Vegas. This puts the Bruins back in the top 10 for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

UCLA now comes in at No. 9 in the latest AP poll released on Monday, a 13-spot jump and the highest movement of anyone in the country.

UCLA’s win over Arizona was not easy by any means. It was a hard-fought victory for a Bruins team that didn’t even shoot the ball particularly well, yet still managed to come out on top, a testament to this team's ability to make big-time plays down the stretch. It was a solid win from the jump,…