UCLA Bruins
2023-2024 Result: 16-17 record (10-10 PAC 12)
Key Additions
Kobe Johnson (USC)
Tyler Bilodeau (Oregon State)
William Kyle III (South Dakota State)
Eric Dailey Jr. (Oklahoma State)
Skyy Clark (Louisville)
Dominick Harris (Loyola Marymount)
Trent Perry (4-star recruit)
Key Losses
Adem Bona
Berke Buyuktuncel
Will McClendon
Projected Starting Lineup
Head Coach: Mick Cronin (6th season)
Guard: Dylan Andrews (JR)
Guard: Sebastian Mack (SO)
Guard: Kobe Johnson (SR)
Forward: Tyler Bilodeau (JR)
Forward: William Kyle III (JR)
Mick Cronin did a great job in the portal this season. Adem Bona is the only real production loss from last year with the exception of 21 minutes per night from Will McClendon and not much production to show for it. The Bruins brought in Kobe Johnson from cross-city rival USC, Tyler Bilodeau, and William Kyle III. They also added Eric Dailey Jr., Skyy Clark, and Dominick Harris to add to the depth that they did not have last year. With returners Dyland Andrews, Sebastian Mack, and Lazar Stefanovic, Cronin’s team appears ready to get off to a hot start in the BIG 10.
Adem Bona has been the backbone of the Bruin defense for years, but he is now with the Philadelphia 76ers. That was the only major loss for UCLA and its defense this offseason, but Mick Cronin did an excellent job replacing his physical play and 2 blocks per game. UCLA had one of the best defenses in the country last year giving up the 19th fewest points per game. If you do a deep dive into their stats though, you will notice that this is in large part due to their slow offensive pace and low number of shot attempts allowed. The lower the number of shots they took, the fewer possessions their opponents had. Even still, they were in the top 100 in defensive field goal percentage. Bona will be a big loss, but they return other key defenders like Dylan Andrews, Sebastian Mack, and Lazar Stefanovic. Expect the Bruins to replace Bona by committee with South Dakota State transfer William Kyle III, who averaged 1.6 blocks last year, and 7 ‘3 sophomore, Aday Mara. Kobe Johnson was a great pickup for this defense because of his physical style and ability to guard multiple positions on the perimeter at 6 ‘6. This defense should be very good again, especially in this conference, although they may give up more points because of a faster offensive pace with more offensive talent.
This offense struggled last year. They were in the bottom 50 in both scoring and field goal percentage. Mick Cronin’s teams had not been like that in years prior with players like Jaime Jaquez, Tyger Campbell, and Johnny Juzang. This year, they have retooled with Andrews, Mack, and Stefanovic back, and added Kobe Johnson, Tyler Bilodeau, William Kyle, and former 5-star, Skyy Clark. The UCLA offense has good guards that can create shots for themselves and others, and have brought in quality wings and big men to compliment them well. After shooting under 42% as a team last year, Cronin appears to have put an emphasis on changing that by bringing in five guys who shot over 42% and averaged more than 10 points per game at their previous schools. The three-point shooting might be an issue still, but they have respectable enough percentages in the low to mid-30s that it at least has to be honored. Stefanovic will still be the best shooter for the Bruins, but they will have more than that now. This offense should get back to looking more like a Mick Cronin-led team and be fun to watch.
UCLA had a very disappointing season last year. They had a terrible start and were never able to recover, finishing 16-17 overall. They will be back in the mix this season in their first year in the BIG 10. The talent and coaching at UCLA this year should get them back to March Madness and give them a good shot to be at the top of the BIG 10. Similar to Oregon, the biggest concern is the cross-country travel, but they should be good enough to overcome it.