Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 teams for 40th Maui Invitational Tournament

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22) reacts after a play against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22) reacts after a play against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball UCLA Bruins forward Adem Bona Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports /

6. UCLA Bruins

The idea that head coach Mick Cronin and the Bruins could be 6th on this list would normally be insane but it’s not only due to the incredible depth of this field but also that they lost more talent than just about anyone this offseason.

Four starters for UCLA went pro, including stars Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell. Only Adem Bona is back after a good freshman campaign, earning Pac-12 all-defensive honors at the center position. The concern here is that just he and Utah transfer Lazar Stefanovic are the lone players on the roster with extended playing time and experience at the D-I level.

The hope is that guards Dylan Andrews and Will Mclendon can break out without Campbell around. And joining them in the backcourt are a pair of marquee international prospects in 6’5 combo guard Jan Vide and Ilane Fibleuil, a 6’7 guard and top-50 incoming freshman recruit.

If those two and both Devin and Brandon Williams (top-100 incoming forwards) can have an impact, UCLA will be very good once again. But Coach Cronin has his work cut out for him with this unproven group. Still, his teams are never bad so expect them to be top-25 good somehow.

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