Mick Cronin's Crossroads: UCLA Basketball's Defensive Identity Lost

[@ChrisSamsell]

Right now, 2 of our 5 starters are playing out of position: Bilodeau & Andrews. The SC player is overrated. He should be coming off the bench. The most talented player is Trent Perry. Mara should start at center, Bilodeau at PF, Trent Perry at PG, Daily at F, Mack at SG. 6th man--Stefanovic. Then, the SC player, Skyy. Kyle should sub for Mara. Bilodeau stays at the PF, not the 5. Andrews is a net negative and really hurts the team. I'd play him but until he starts doing positive things, not for long. Perry will play like a freshman, but ultimately he's our best chance because he has the most talent. Andrews has had his chance. Skyy can't do it. Also, the two Williams kids can actually play. They deserve some court time. Are they redshirting? I think this team is a mess. Cronin's popping off was detrimental and if this team continues to flounder, he's history.

[@Pat_Y87]

Totally agree! I know Mara might have trouble sizing up against bigger bigs in the paint, but with more playing time, he can at least grow more acquainted with the competition. If he gets put on the bench, we cannot expect him to grow. Bilodeau just can't play as a 5 with his height, especially in the big 10. I think Perry should start over Andrews, def. will get better with more playing time. Truly hope Mick play our players to their strengths, as it was a problem last year. We have more veterans present this year in our team, so I really hope we make it in the tourney, even as a 16th seed.

[@LABoyko]

The Bruins are actually really good when they protect the basketball and play defense with a sense of urgency. Losing streak has been characterized by long stretches where they do neither. As bad as it looks, this mess is very fixable. Would try startng William or Aday so Tyler can slide to his more natural four spot.

[@William-m9n]

Crazy Stuff ! I thought UCLA was on an Upward Trajectory after Bruins beat Gonzaga & played good " D."

[@LockedOnUCLA]

We all did…

[@TryingToDoBetter01]

UCLA does not have the size the compete and they have no offense. When someone is dribbling towards top of key, the other players are just standing around instead of moving around with purpose. They just switch at the top of the key over and over again and it’s way too easy to defend. But they are outsized at every position in the BIG10

[@William-m9n]

Maybe some Bruin players don't want Coach Cronin to reach the " 500 Win Milestone " ? Who knows !

[@hansgordy]

The defense has a problem... but the bigger one is their inability to shoot the ball.

[@donhall7871]

The body language of the team says it all. They are not having fun. Mick is screaming at them the whole game as if they can’t think for themselves. Leadership = Influence They are not responding to his leadership. I like Mick however he needs to find a way privately to reach these kids instead of blasting them publicly. I’ve never seen a Bruin team that refused to ball out. I thought we were at bottom after Michigan game. Nope !!!!!!!!!

[@dogmethey1763]

Did you watch any games last year ? I think they refuse to ball out as well we lost to cal at home😂 and beat uc riverside by a buzzer beater

[@donhall7871]

What is sad is that this current team is capable of so much more. They now simply play”hot potato “ and pass the ball around afraid to shoot . They lack heart. These guys have virtually quit on Mick.

[@William-m9n]

Great Defense can help their Offense with Turnovers , Defensive Rebounds & Fast Break Points ! Gotta Play " D " & Box Out !

[@Paolo1964]

I think we are playing too many players, and as a result, we seem to lose team chemistry. I think we should start Mack, Lazar, Tyler, Kobe & Daily.

[@William-m9n]

Hold on..... i gotta go watch the Video again where Coach Cronin calls his players " Soft & Delusional " ! 👊 👊

[@Stephen-jy3ie]

I dont like that our offense dies if Billado can't get the ball. It's too easy to guard, and hes looking like hes a little to easy to guard if he can't shoot the ball correctly. Sebastian Mackeroni is not a great guard. hes agressive, but a one dimensional player. He adds something only bc of how subpar the guard play has been. He cannot be the best guard we have. Cannot die on Lazar's 3 point shot, that was last year's team man.

[@LABoyko]

Sebastian is the only guy capable of creating his own shot. As bad as things are, they would be much worse without him.

[@William-m9n]

I was almost in a " State of Shock " when i saw that Michigan Scored 94 points & AT UCLA ! Thought the Score mighta been a Misprint !

[@Sal-h2l]

He tried to defend Vlad Goldin one on one. It was never going to work.

[@holokai21]

That first game of this roady;the Bruins looked like they were suffering from jet lag.And it would seem that was the case(traveling from west to east is harder for the body and mind to adjust to!!!!!!!).So the home team has a fairly substantial advantage!!!!!!!!!.What former Pac 12 team is doing any good in the Big10(none except maybe Oregon).

[@William-m9n]

A Bruin player was 0 for 7 Shooting & Rutgers had 11 Offensive Rebounds.......

[@MrMiniPancakes]

And he is our best guy

[@William-m9n]

Wasn't Coach Cronin a Point Guard in his playing days ? Why so much difficulty figuring it out on Offense ? ! 🤔

[@MarcelMobley]

Mick is losing connection with his team he yells to much

[@josephtrujillo6882]

UCLA basketball hasnt been the same since john wooden passed. we have all the talent in world here in LA, but these kids need an old fashioned hard nosed inspirational leader. there is no fight in these kids anymore. it's turned into money making laundry machine. this goes for all american sports college and pro.

[@LindaHarmon-u5j]

There you go again, Bruin fans. Living in the past. Wooden has been gone since back in the 70's. Deal with it.

[@losthighway4840]

The other teams don’t seem to have a problem

[@holokai21]

Jim Harrick won an NCAA championship,and had the Collins twins coming.But was kicked out due a stupid situation.He would have had many more great teams if he was not kicked to the curb!!!!!!!!!.

[@randallmadison9910]

​@@holokai21Harrick was scandalous. Went to Georgia and was found to be involved in academic fraud. The AD got rid of a liar and cheat. The program at least had some integrity. The AD did the right thing. Especially in today's society, doing the right thing isn't appreciated.

[@milepost856]

Size matter to few other Ability How tall is dale dawkins Chocolate thunder 6'9,"

[@truthwarrior2149]

Coaching coaching coaching. This offense looks only slightly less shity than most of our previous offenses. Cronin can't coach offense and you can tell that by watching his team's play offense. No cutting to the basket, no pick and rolls, no fast breaks, no shooters coming off of pics for open shots. If a player doesn't get his own shot he doesn't get a shot. Also he's got such a quick trigger that the players are not playing the free-flowing style. They're not playing with confidence

[@vinrusso821]

Cronin is gonna retire after this season.

[@KenWesaw]

Maybe they just suck

[@William-m9n]

Great Defense can help their Offense with Turnovers , Defensive Rebounds & Fast Break Points ! Gotta Play " D " & Box Out !