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NCAA Basketball: Will Cincinnati or UCLA post a better 2019-20 season?

By Ben Andreatta

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats drives to the basket as Jaylen Hands #4 of the UCLA Bruins defends during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on December 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats drives to the basket as Jaylen Hands #4 of the UCLA Bruins defends during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on December 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 19: Troy Caupain #10 of the Cincinnati Bearcats shoots over Bryce Alford #20 of the UCLA Bruins during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 19, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 19: Troy Caupain #10 of the Cincinnati Bearcats shoots over Bryce Alford #20 of the UCLA Bruins during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 19, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

UCLA and Cincinnati are linked for this upcoming season after a coaching change. Which team is more likely to be better in 2019-20?

UCLA and Cincinnati are two programs that are set to begin their seasons with new head coaches. Mick Cronin left Cincinnati this past summer to join a storied Bruins program while John Brannen was hired to replace Cronin at Cincinnati. To many, the step up from a mid-major program like Cincinnati to a program like UCLA is one a coach wouldn’t even think twice about. Leaving the midwest, flying across the country to warm and sunny Los Angeles, there’s more money, it’s easier to recruit, the Bruins boosters will get you whatever you need, under one circumstance, you have to win.

Just ask Steve Alford, you don’t have a lot of time to right the ship if things go south. Coming off a 31 win season in 2017 that saw them make a sweet 16 appearance, Alford and the Bruins made just a first four appearance in the following 2018 season, Alford didn’t even make it to the following January before he was canned. They got off to a rough 7-6 start for the 2018-19 campaign through the first thirteen games, The Bruins fans and boosters decided enough was enough and sought someone else to take charge of the program. Expectations are high with this program and if you show you can’t live up to those expectations? Better pack your bags.

Cincinnati is in a completely different boat, the Bearcats had a 28-7 campaign which saw them win the AAC Tournament but bow out of the NCAA Tournament in a defeat to Iowa. Cronin’s departure was one where the grass looked greener on the other side. Cincinnati fans while they appreciate everything Cronin did for them, were becoming restless over the lack of success their teams saw in the NCAA Tournament. Just one Sweet 16 appearance in nine tournament appearances. For whatever reason, Cronin’s teams couldn’t get it done in the tournament, is that something Bruins fans should be wary of?

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