Pac-12 Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

2018-19 Record: 17-16 (9-9 Pac-12)

Head Coach: Mick Cronin (1st Season)

Key Returners: Prince Ali, Chris Smith, Jules Bernard, Cody Riley, Jalen Hill

Big Departures: Kris Wilkes, Jaylen Hands, Moses Brown

Top Newcomers: Tyger Campbell (Redshirt), Shareef O’Neal (Redshirt), Jamie Jaquez, Jake Kyman

It has been over six months since the UCLA Bruins picked former Cincinnati Head Coach Mick Cronin to replace Steve Alford, and there is still no clear answer on whether it was a good move. To be honest, the decision to hire Cronin feels like a move toward stability and NCAA Tournament bids, rather than a gamble on National Championship contenders, and that is perfectly fine.

There is only one certainty that Cronin brings to Westwood, and that is the discipline and dedication to playing scrappy defense. Where Alford’s teams focused on individual talent and running the floor, Cronin’s teams tend to slow the game down and force opponents to win in the half-court. With no clear first option scorers right now, this could bode well for initial success.

The biggest wildcards in the Bruins’ future success may be the play of redshirt freshmen Shareef O’Neal and Tyger Campbell.  Both players missed last season, after joining UCLA as Top 100 recruits, and will be expected to play huge roles this year. While Campbell is projected as an instant starter at the point guard position, O’Neal may have the highest expectations. As the son of basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal and a Top 50 recruit, O’Neal will have a very high bar to clear as a freshman.

UCLA will need Prince Ali to step into an even larger leadership role, while former star recruits Cody Riley, Jules Bernard and Jalen Hill will need to live up to their potential. Cronin has the ability to get more out of his team than Alford was, but changing a culture isn’t done overnight and growing pains may limit the success the Bruins have in year one.