Pac-12 Basketball: Under-the-radar storylines heading into 2020-21

Pac-12 Basketball: Under-the-radar storylines heading into 2020-21 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 29: Tyger Campbell #10, David Singleton #34, Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4, Jalen Hill #24 and Chris Smith #5 of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

1. What will UCLA look like in year two under Mick Cronin?

One thing to watch is what happens at UCLA. The Bruins were playing some of the best basketball in the conference when the season ended, having won 11 of their last 14 games. Not bad for a coach, who when they hired Mick Cronin a lot of people struggled to see the fit with the program.

After just a 7-6 start to the season, including losses to Hofstra and Cal-State Fullerton, and then beginning league play, 0-3, things were not looking good for the Bruins’ faithful. Then came the run, only losing on the road to Oregon, Arizona State, and USC the rest of the way. Along with the wins came the defense that Cronin was known for at Cincinnati, the Bruins gave up an average 64 points per game over that span.

So, not only did UCLA find their feet to finish the year but, they return nearly everyone from the team, senior guard Prince Ali graduated and freshman forward Shareef O’Neal transferred to his father’s Alma mater. There won’t be much of an acclimation period to Cronin’s ways this season as the only new recruit coming in is 6’5 shooting guard Jaylen Clark. For people that were unsure about the hiring of Cronin, it may not take him long to convert all the skeptics.

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