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The UCLA Bruins have won an NCAA Tournament game. But the length of their tournament run may depend on the health of one player.
Star forward Tyler Bilodeau did not play in the Bruins' tournament-opener, a win over UCF, which did not prove consequential. Coming into that game, Bilodeau's status was up in the air — but he was eventually ruled out, extending an absence that began in the Big Ten Tournament.
Now, the next chance for Bilodeau to return to action will come in the second round against either UConn or Furman. Will the Bruins get their leading scorer back?
Here's the latest on Bilodeau's health and when he could return.
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Tyler Bilodeau injury updates
Bilodeau came into Friday's first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against UCF with a questionable status. However, as the game approached, he was ruled out. The forward, who has been dealing with a knee injury reportedly experienced some soreness that led to the team holding him out for the contest.
Per 247Sports' Connor Morrissette, there was initial plans for Bilodeau to play vs. UCF, but he was then ruled out.
Tyler Bilodeau has experienced some soreness and is being held out, per UCLA.
— Ben Bolch (@calpostbbolch) March 20, 2026Prior to the NCAA Tournament, reports indicated that Bilodeau would be ready for March Madness. Per Jon Rothstein, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin said the team would "100% have Tyler Bilodeau available" and Bilodeau could have played in more Big Ten Tournament games, but the team was being cautious.
Mick Cronin tells me that UCLA will 100% have Tyler Bilodeau available for the Bruins' first NCAA Tournament game next week.
Cronin on Bilodeau: "He could play today, but we are holding him out." https://t.co/ZwdKk2fRR1
As it turned out, that wasn't the case. Bilodeau sat as the Bruins claimed a close win over UCF.
Cronin said postgame that Bilodeau had practiced on Thursday, but when he had knee stiffness Friday, the coaching staff decided to keep him sidelined, and they would re-assess where he was at on Saturday.
Mick Cronin said Tyler Bilodeau had a good practice yesterday but woke up with his knee stiff today and coach decided to keep him out. He said "we'll see how he is tomorrow."
— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) March 21, 2026Now, his next opportunity to return will come in the second round of the tournament; as the team's leading scorer, his presence will be a massive aspect of UCLA's potential March run, regardless of who it faces next.
SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
What happened to Tyler Bilodeau?
Earlier in March, Bilodeau sprained his right knee during UCLA's win over Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament. After that game, Cronin said Bilodeau would undergo further testing, but the forward was reportedly "moving around relatively well" in the locker room.
Since then, he has been out, despite some back-and-forth reporting regarding his status entering the NCAA Tournament and whether or not he would play.
He has been seek walking fine and warming up with the team during his absence.
Tyler Bilodeau shooting with his team. pic.twitter.com/QlS8v8gmYO
— Ben Bolch (@calpostbbolch) March 19, 2026How many games has Tyler Bilodeau missed?
Bilodeau hasn't played since Friday, March 13, when he exited with the knee sprain vs. Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament.
UCLA has played two games without him, going 1-1. The first game was a 73-66 loss to Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament, ending the Bruins' run. However, UCLA then opened the NCAA Tournament with a 75-71 win over UCF despite Bilodeau's absence.
The senior forward's next opportunity to return to the floor will be in the second round of the tournament.
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Tyler Bilodeau season stats
- Games: 31
- MPG: 30.2
- PPG: 17.6
- RPG: 5.6
- APG: 1.1
- BPG: 0.4
- SPG: 0.5
- FG%: 51.8%
- FT%: 87.3%
- 3PT%: 46.4%
Bilodeau has been an effective lead scorer for UCLA all season, his second with the Bruins after transferring from Oregon State in 2024.
Over 31 games, Bilodeau has put up a team-high 17.6 points per game, including a 46.4% mark from 3-point range. He was an All-Big Ten third-team selection.
Will Tyler Bilodeau play in the second round?
Bilodeau's status for UCLA's second-round matchup at the 2026 NCAA Tournament remains unknown.
He was questionable heading into Round 1, but was ruled out closer to game time after previously being considered likely to play against UCF.
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin said after the first-round win that Bilodeau had been ruled out with knee stiffness, and the team would re-assess his health on Saturday, March 21.
HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5
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