No matter how you look at things, UCLA was a disaster last season. Mick Cronin’s first four seasons on the West Coast had actually been very fruitful, including a Final Four in 2021 followed up by a pair of trips to the Sweet Sixteen. However, all of that goodwill and momentum came undone in a disappointing campaign last season.
The Bruins finished just 16-17, claiming 5th place in the final season of the Pac-12. Cronin’s teams had won 73% of their conference games in his first four years but last year was just a disaster. UCLA had their worst offensive performance in recent memory and struggled after replacing a ton of talent from those previous successful teams.
After last season’s disappointment, Cronin and his staff busied themselves to make sure history did not repeat itself. UCLA adds a plethora of new faces into this lineup, hoping to recharge the program to another successful season. Obviously, these pieces on the roster are not the only new thing in Westwood, as the Bruins join the Big Ten and a tougher basketball experience.
With the new faces on the Bruins, Cronin is hoping that there are much more significant offensive fireworks in town this season. It’s a year of adjustment for this program in a new conference and we’ll break down just what to expect from it. We’re going to look at the important players, the intriguing games ahead, and start to wonder just what we can expect from UCLA in their debut in the Big Ten.