Dimitri (and Joe). Thank you so very much for all you do for this community. I appreciate your Hard work and respect your thoughtful and intelligent analysis.
As in their previous close games this season, the Bruins played well for only 1 half and unfortunately didn't have enough at the end to pull off a victory. The loss could've been lopsided were it not for Dylan Andrews, who would be a good leader for the Bruins if he returns next season. But sure hope that none of the inept SPTRs return to officiate Big-10 home games for the former Pac-12 teams next season. And good riddance to the stupid Pac-12 Network!
Not sure what sort of roster the Bruins will have as they begin competing in a tougher conference against less familiar opponents next season. Coach Cronin said that basically everyone's a free agent, so it'll be an interesting offseason, for sure.
💯 Had we made a few throws we would have won despite the terrible officiating and huge traditional drought. But this is the proverbial tale of this team. Always something that causes us to lose close games... even last season we lost close ones and then there's Gonzaga of course.
But I can say that I am ecstatic to be moving to the B1G as the Pac-12 'leadership' and SPTRs have ruined this once glorious Conference. I hope we never see Padillo or those unknown mystery refs again. What a cluster of failure all have been 😢
Will be truly interesting to see what happens when the portal opens on March 18. So all eyes on the next several weeks. And it will also reveal a lot to see how many on our team will exit either by choice or because they are asked to leave 🧐
But regardless, I agree with many who believe the portal is not a great way to build a program and we only have one recruit committed plus Christian Horry who is a walk on.
For the record, we only have one high school commit because there are only two scholarships available at the moment (one held over from last year and Nwuba's when he leaves). Kinda hard to recruit high school players when you don't have any options to admit them with.
i think in this day and age it is impossible to build a solid and sustaining roster with big freshman classes. Transfer portal just as important if not more. Especially when we do not have the NIL to retain outstanding freshmen.
I think you’re right. For years KY would bring in 5 freshman and compete, the last few years have seen that model decimated. Calipari suddenly looks like an anachronism! The game has changed. I believe icons like Coach Wooden, Dean Smith, and Coach K would probably flail in this environment.
Heck, even Calipari, the biggest whore in recruiting is struggling to adapt. In some ways, this has leveled the game. It’s not the brand, it’s not the coach, it’s the alumni money that will determine the future.
As proud Bruins, we need to step up and fund the NIL coffers. It is the future…. Like it or not.
Sorry mate, but this is just a lame excuse for cronins inability to recruit this year and last. They have 2 available scholarships. They should make them count! Right now they have one 4 star commit. If players wanted to play for cronin then they’d be lining up to play for him and ucla would have at least one 5 star recruit for next year. They dont
And before someone replies and claims it all on the nil… Cronin put together some of the worst recruiting classes in ucla history in the last 20 years BEFORE the NIL was enacted. And all of you said then, but he doesn’t have any scholarships available. Well now he does, and next years class is going to be one of the worst recruiting halls in the history of ucla basketball… think about that for at least 30 seconds before replying with some other excuse
I have the ultimate respect for your effort, dedication and die hardedness. Question, if CMC had 2 scholarships, why did he not recruit 2 players? Why only one? It does leave one to question the strategy, the willingness?
You know in some ways, despite my hatred, I think Enfield works harder on the recruiting trail, which is a shame given our brand.
It is a math problem mostly. If Cronin assumes everyone comes back, he only has two scholarships, and the new paradigm in recruiting dictates you want to save at least one scholarship for a potential transfer. UCLA has done that in the past under Cronin (Juzang, Myles Johnson) so unsurprising he did that here. It’s not a question of effort, but one of simple math and strategy.
Is it a bad look for a coach to air his players' dirty laundry--who's on the chopping block and why? I think that gives a dismissive (disposable?) regard for the players, and deters interest in the program. On the flip side, it could reflect negatively for the players in the portal. Or is all is fair in love and war in the age of the one-year contracted players?
CMC evaluations were by degree and omission. He wants only 3 players definitely to stay -- Bona, Dylan and Laz. He would like 2 others for their attitude -- Mara and BWill. Less so Mack. He hinted that Jan was injured the entire year, so received an Incomplete grade. Berke stays with an attitude adjustment. (I don't see Berke's NBA potential that the rest of the world sees. At best I think he's Dave Robisch, which is not an insult, but is dating me.)
We'll see soon enough.
Out of context: Yes, UCLA should aspire to be St Mary's!
Sea... Solid assessment. Yes, on pins and needles tp see how this whole mess shakes out...
I do love Dylan - great character, dedication and toughness - his grandpa is smiling. Also love Bona and hope he stays as he needs to improve his outside shot and footwork. I do believe Bona won't be a foul target in the B1G but he needs to eliminate the unnecessary fouls. Laz is great person and hope he develops a consistent shot.
Mara could be good and I love B Wills as he has toughness and never gives up, Vide is trying and committed so I think he could be a good contributor.
I like Mack and believe he has great potential - it would be sad to lose a 4 star recruit and if we lost him then that's on Cronin imho.
I don't really care if Berke comes back or not - he lacks fire. Fib is a no show and don't care if he comes back.
I think it's a message to incoming players -- don't come here if it's all about you and don't come here to chase a paycheck. Come here if you want to work hard, win, and become a better basketball player. it's the same message coaches used to give on the first day of practice, when players couldnt just transfer willy nilly. If you are not on board, the door is right there. Better to weed those players out before they arrive.
Cronin knows what he’s doing. The more you degrade your players the more they will grow and respect you. Why we hire coaches that have trained under the likes of the knights and pittinos of the world is beyond me. Two of the most slime coaches in the history of college basketball and we are going after their understudies. Pittino single handedly destroyed Louisville basketball and we hired the guy that learned from him
Clearly, reading this end of season thread is an indication of the frustration, angst and hope that belies Bruin basketball fans. Some are clearly pissed at Cronin, others have optimism and hope.
I’m definitely in the latter category. I’d like to see Cronin win multiple championships at UCLA. Since Farmer, I believe CMC is the best we’ve had. In the 2023 tourney, had we not lost Clarke & Bona, we could have competed for the title. That’s more than we can say for all other coaches beginning with Larry Farmer.
The game has changed. CMC will adjust unlike Mr. Kelly. I have full faith. I hope we see Andrews, Bona, Steph, Williams (both), Mack, Mara, Berkre and Vide back. They put in the time and effort, let them see some success that is ubiquitous with CMC.
I’m long on UCLA bball, I’m long on CMC! I’m long on Champions Made Here!!!
As many others have stated in these threads, ucla has been the school that hangs its banner on ethics and integrity. What a coach does outside of basketball games with players and recruits counts as part of the job. He was still a “coach” when he chose to do those things…. So sure, you can say that he knows X’s and O’s, but what a coach does off the court has also been used in the past as a barometer against other coaches… see Steve Alford archives ad hominem
I don't like the dux but happy zona tanked. We should have won against the dux and then... great to see zona exit and I have a feeling they won't go far in the Dance.
It's OK, both of those teams will get knocked out early in the NCAA tournament, and the Bruins can get payback from the Ducklings in the Big-10. March Sadness sucks, though...
If it wasn't going to be us, maybe it's poetic that the final Pac12 Conference of Champions title was won by not only an original Pac school rather than a Big 12 late arrival but the winner of the 1st NCAA tournament - at least it wasn't zona or just $c!
Still got a local team to root for--best of luck to the overmatched 15-seed CSULB in their game against the 2-seed Mildcats on Thursday. Seems kind of dumb to have fired Monson before their season officially ended.
Dimitri (and Joe). Thank you so very much for all you do for this community. I appreciate your Hard work and respect your thoughtful and intelligent analysis.
Ditto that. Both of your analyses are typically spot on IMO.
Doudle dittos! In good times or bad, you guys are true blue and gold bruins! Thanks for the good times, gents!
May this be a building year!
Ditto for Threeeee! Thank you so much for honest analysis from a place of love and respect for our Bruins and our community!
Ditto Thanks for your insights hard work and time Dmitri and Joe!
Ditto Terry for sure! Thanks D & J for all 💙💛
Thank you from me too. Appreciate all your writing contributions. Awesome stuff.
As in their previous close games this season, the Bruins played well for only 1 half and unfortunately didn't have enough at the end to pull off a victory. The loss could've been lopsided were it not for Dylan Andrews, who would be a good leader for the Bruins if he returns next season. But sure hope that none of the inept SPTRs return to officiate Big-10 home games for the former Pac-12 teams next season. And good riddance to the stupid Pac-12 Network!
Not sure what sort of roster the Bruins will have as they begin competing in a tougher conference against less familiar opponents next season. Coach Cronin said that basically everyone's a free agent, so it'll be an interesting offseason, for sure.
A 2 pt game. How many front ends of a 1 and 1 did we miss?
💯 Had we made a few throws we would have won despite the terrible officiating and huge traditional drought. But this is the proverbial tale of this team. Always something that causes us to lose close games... even last season we lost close ones and then there's Gonzaga of course.
But I can say that I am ecstatic to be moving to the B1G as the Pac-12 'leadership' and SPTRs have ruined this once glorious Conference. I hope we never see Padillo or those unknown mystery refs again. What a cluster of failure all have been 😢
Will be truly interesting to see what happens when the portal opens on March 18. So all eyes on the next several weeks. And it will also reveal a lot to see how many on our team will exit either by choice or because they are asked to leave 🧐
But regardless, I agree with many who believe the portal is not a great way to build a program and we only have one recruit committed plus Christian Horry who is a walk on.
This is absolutely a 'time will tell' scenario.
For the record, we only have one high school commit because there are only two scholarships available at the moment (one held over from last year and Nwuba's when he leaves). Kinda hard to recruit high school players when you don't have any options to admit them with.
Ok. We will see how Cronin does over the next several weeks. Euros didn't meet even basic expectations for playing good defense.
i think in this day and age it is impossible to build a solid and sustaining roster with big freshman classes. Transfer portal just as important if not more. Especially when we do not have the NIL to retain outstanding freshmen.
I think you’re right. For years KY would bring in 5 freshman and compete, the last few years have seen that model decimated. Calipari suddenly looks like an anachronism! The game has changed. I believe icons like Coach Wooden, Dean Smith, and Coach K would probably flail in this environment.
Heck, even Calipari, the biggest whore in recruiting is struggling to adapt. In some ways, this has leveled the game. It’s not the brand, it’s not the coach, it’s the alumni money that will determine the future.
As proud Bruins, we need to step up and fund the NIL coffers. It is the future…. Like it or not.
Sorry mate, but this is just a lame excuse for cronins inability to recruit this year and last. They have 2 available scholarships. They should make them count! Right now they have one 4 star commit. If players wanted to play for cronin then they’d be lining up to play for him and ucla would have at least one 5 star recruit for next year. They dont
And before someone replies and claims it all on the nil… Cronin put together some of the worst recruiting classes in ucla history in the last 20 years BEFORE the NIL was enacted. And all of you said then, but he doesn’t have any scholarships available. Well now he does, and next years class is going to be one of the worst recruiting halls in the history of ucla basketball… think about that for at least 30 seconds before replying with some other excuse
I have the ultimate respect for your effort, dedication and die hardedness. Question, if CMC had 2 scholarships, why did he not recruit 2 players? Why only one? It does leave one to question the strategy, the willingness?
You know in some ways, despite my hatred, I think Enfield works harder on the recruiting trail, which is a shame given our brand.
It is a math problem mostly. If Cronin assumes everyone comes back, he only has two scholarships, and the new paradigm in recruiting dictates you want to save at least one scholarship for a potential transfer. UCLA has done that in the past under Cronin (Juzang, Myles Johnson) so unsurprising he did that here. It’s not a question of effort, but one of simple math and strategy.
Thanks to all the Bruin friends who made this a great place to hang out and share the game. Y'all be well through the coming seasons!
To you also Jim
Looks like Mick is after a decent player from Penn. Not a starter but a definite upgrade at guard from McClendon. 18 ppg and 42% from 3 in the Ivy.
Kyle Ford transferring btw.
Is it a bad look for a coach to air his players' dirty laundry--who's on the chopping block and why? I think that gives a dismissive (disposable?) regard for the players, and deters interest in the program. On the flip side, it could reflect negatively for the players in the portal. Or is all is fair in love and war in the age of the one-year contracted players?
CMC evaluations were by degree and omission. He wants only 3 players definitely to stay -- Bona, Dylan and Laz. He would like 2 others for their attitude -- Mara and BWill. Less so Mack. He hinted that Jan was injured the entire year, so received an Incomplete grade. Berke stays with an attitude adjustment. (I don't see Berke's NBA potential that the rest of the world sees. At best I think he's Dave Robisch, which is not an insult, but is dating me.)
We'll see soon enough.
Out of context: Yes, UCLA should aspire to be St Mary's!
Sea... Solid assessment. Yes, on pins and needles tp see how this whole mess shakes out...
I do love Dylan - great character, dedication and toughness - his grandpa is smiling. Also love Bona and hope he stays as he needs to improve his outside shot and footwork. I do believe Bona won't be a foul target in the B1G but he needs to eliminate the unnecessary fouls. Laz is great person and hope he develops a consistent shot.
Mara could be good and I love B Wills as he has toughness and never gives up, Vide is trying and committed so I think he could be a good contributor.
I like Mack and believe he has great potential - it would be sad to lose a 4 star recruit and if we lost him then that's on Cronin imho.
I don't really care if Berke comes back or not - he lacks fire. Fib is a no show and don't care if he comes back.
If big 10 refs officiate Bona like they do Zach Edey, Bona will never foul out of another game lol
you forgot Vide
I mentioned Jan.
I think it's a message to incoming players -- don't come here if it's all about you and don't come here to chase a paycheck. Come here if you want to work hard, win, and become a better basketball player. it's the same message coaches used to give on the first day of practice, when players couldnt just transfer willy nilly. If you are not on board, the door is right there. Better to weed those players out before they arrive.
Cronin knows what he’s doing. The more you degrade your players the more they will grow and respect you. Why we hire coaches that have trained under the likes of the knights and pittinos of the world is beyond me. Two of the most slime coaches in the history of college basketball and we are going after their understudies. Pittino single handedly destroyed Louisville basketball and we hired the guy that learned from him
Clearly, reading this end of season thread is an indication of the frustration, angst and hope that belies Bruin basketball fans. Some are clearly pissed at Cronin, others have optimism and hope.
I’m definitely in the latter category. I’d like to see Cronin win multiple championships at UCLA. Since Farmer, I believe CMC is the best we’ve had. In the 2023 tourney, had we not lost Clarke & Bona, we could have competed for the title. That’s more than we can say for all other coaches beginning with Larry Farmer.
The game has changed. CMC will adjust unlike Mr. Kelly. I have full faith. I hope we see Andrews, Bona, Steph, Williams (both), Mack, Mara, Berkre and Vide back. They put in the time and effort, let them see some success that is ubiquitous with CMC.
I’m long on UCLA bball, I’m long on CMC! I’m long on Champions Made Here!!!
GO BRUINS!
Dumb take. Pitino destroyed Louisville because he hired prostitutes for his recruits and players, not because he was a bad coach.
As many others have stated in these threads, ucla has been the school that hangs its banner on ethics and integrity. What a coach does outside of basketball games with players and recruits counts as part of the job. He was still a “coach” when he chose to do those things…. So sure, you can say that he knows X’s and O’s, but what a coach does off the court has also been used in the past as a barometer against other coaches… see Steve Alford archives ad hominem
I don’t disagree. The Louisville sex scandal has nothing to do with Cronin though
A small thank you to Oregon for also knocking the Mildcats out of the final Pac-12 tourney.
Quack!
I don't like the dux but happy zona tanked. We should have won against the dux and then... great to see zona exit and I have a feeling they won't go far in the Dance.
It's OK, both of those teams will get knocked out early in the NCAA tournament, and the Bruins can get payback from the Ducklings in the Big-10. March Sadness sucks, though...
If it wasn't going to be us, maybe it's poetic that the final Pac12 Conference of Champions title was won by not only an original Pac school rather than a Big 12 late arrival but the winner of the 1st NCAA tournament - at least it wasn't zona or just $c!
Still got a local team to root for--best of luck to the overmatched 15-seed CSULB in their game against the 2-seed Mildcats on Thursday. Seems kind of dumb to have fired Monson before their season officially ended.
Nevada is an #11 seed in the West.
Good ole Alfraud 1.0.