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NCAA Basketball: Teams impacted most by unique 2020 offseason

By Drew Schmelzer

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

3. NCAA Basketball program hurt most by unique offseason – UCLA

The Bruins navigated through a strange season in 2019-20. They lost games early in the year to Hofstra and Cal St Fullerton and were dead in the water until February, where they won 9 of their last 10 and had somehow positioned themselves for an NCAA Tournament bid. While you have to laud Mick Cronin for an incredible turnaround in year one in Westwood, there was no team in the country with more momentum that was so quickly halted.

The momentum was even more disrupted when 5-star recruit Daishen Nix de-committed from UCLA and decided to explore professional opportunities in the G-League at the end of April. UCLA is also still waiting on leading scorer Chris Smith’s (13.1 Pts, 5.4 Reb, 1.6 Ast) decision whether or not he is going pro, but that decision doesn’t necessarily make or break what’s to come for the Bruins. What is going to be difficult is the integration of Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang. The 6’6 guard and Los Angeles native is going to be expected to play a big role especially if Smith leaves for good. The lack of summer workouts and time with the coaching staff is going to stifle Juzang’s transition.

The underlying story here is that UCLA had its fair share of struggles last season. They needed Nix, and without him, they have one of the worst recruiting classes in the PAC 12 heading into 2020. Cronin’s team caught lightning in a bottle and was ready to make a run in the tournament and that was put to an end by the pandemic. Picking up where they left off is going to be more difficult for UCLA than most teams around the country.

There is a lot of momentum coming into Paulley Pavillion for this upcoming season and Bruin fans are going to be coming in with guns blazing. There is a lot to look forward to in LA as long as they are in the hands of Mick Cronin, but fans shouldn’t be preparing for a sweet 16 run in 2020-21.

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