The overall lack of competitiveness displayed by the Bruins during their latest losing streak seems more disappointing than the actual losses that they've been compiling. Their tough defense has gone AWOL. Oh well, at least the women's team will be participating in March Madness. Go Bruins!
The overall lack of competitiveness displayed by the Bruins during their latest losing streak seems more disappointing than the actual losses that they've been compiling. Their tough defense has gone AWOL. Oh well, at least the women's team will be participating in March Madness. Go Bruins!
They didn't show up because they've given up on the season, themselves, CMC, the promise of the Four Letters, and even the opportunity to showcase their "talent" for another coach in the portal. They're sabotaging the team and themselves--part of their youth and immaturity?
Don't really know for sure if they finally quit, lost their confidence (again), or are just facing much tougher challenges as the season winds down, but yes, I think the level of youth/immaturity (inexperience) and lack of veteran leadership have contributed greatly to this down year.
I had originally expected this season's performance to end up being simliar to Coach Cronin's Year-1, but they've been much worse. But he commented over a month ago why that wasn't a good comparison to make: тАЬThat team was bigger and stronger and older. Because even Jalen [Hill] and Cody [Riley], they were older because they had to sit that one year. So, they were a little more physical. But, look, we lost our five leading scorers from last year and replaced them with Lazar Stefanovic. WeтАЩre figuring it out." In any case, there's still a lot more figuring out to do this offseason...
To find the Bruins at end stage Lavin (love that medical diagnosis) in CMC's 6th year is alarming, and requires immediate attention. Given the condition of the patient and limited options available, what treatment do you recommend? Dr. Baskets thinks the current course is fatal.
Honestly I want to be thoughtful in my response and I'd certainly defer to Dmitri's expertise regarding individual players and inside info... But I'd start by saying I don't care about pace - or at least it's not the major problem since there are different ways to win - I mean, Houston might very well be the overall #1 seed in the dance and they are currently #348 in pace...
Granting that the coaches are responsible for the makeup of the roster, I think the diagnosis has to start with player-led leadership and character. If adversity reveals character, it seems pretty clear that the reaction to the heartbreaker loss to Utah at Pauley - the worst week of practice all season and the quick collapse in the 2nd half at home against just $c revealed a lack of character and leadership within the group - which I think is what Mick was trying to say by saying "fight". It's why a reset is needed and likely why the coaches are so frustrated...
Can a winner be built around Andrews and Mack as they gain experience, more control and consistency, with Bona if he stays and further develops his game, with BWill in the rotation as a good instinctual rebounder who has to grow a lot? Yes - with bringing in guys like Keshon Johnson from places like SDSU - don't underestimate how important he is to zona - who may not be flashy but are winners and - I hate saying this - don't cost as much as the Caleb Loves of the world, argumented by winning more often in recruiting and focusing on player-led leadership and character - more Jaime's and fewer Shabazz's I suppose.
disagree. everyone in college basketball knows the youth of this team. sophomores play better than freshmen, but frankly most of these kids won't be invited back. will be a totally new group next year , for better or worse.
"Forever" sounds extreme (except for my moniker!), as there have been other awful, lackluster teams in past seasons at UCLA before the program got turned around (at least temporarily). Coach Cronin rode the same core group of players successfully for the past 4 seasons, then had to replace them all at once, and was just unable (apparently due to lack of NIL funding) to do a good job of recruiting and reloading the roster with a highly competitive group of players. And regarding the youth of this year's team, according to one analytics site (https://www.barttorvik.com), the Bruins have the 4th least-experienced team in all of Div. I basketball, so the players were all being thrown into the fire pretty early. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see if the coaching staff can improve the roster for their inaugural season in the Big-10 and whether lack of NIL funding will be used as an excuse if his new batch of recruits (or the entire team) doesn't end up performing well again.
The overall lack of competitiveness displayed by the Bruins during their latest losing streak seems more disappointing than the actual losses that they've been compiling. Their tough defense has gone AWOL. Oh well, at least the women's team will be participating in March Madness. Go Bruins!
They didn't show up because they've given up on the season, themselves, CMC, the promise of the Four Letters, and even the opportunity to showcase their "talent" for another coach in the portal. They're sabotaging the team and themselves--part of their youth and immaturity?
Don't really know for sure if they finally quit, lost their confidence (again), or are just facing much tougher challenges as the season winds down, but yes, I think the level of youth/immaturity (inexperience) and lack of veteran leadership have contributed greatly to this down year.
I had originally expected this season's performance to end up being simliar to Coach Cronin's Year-1, but they've been much worse. But he commented over a month ago why that wasn't a good comparison to make: тАЬThat team was bigger and stronger and older. Because even Jalen [Hill] and Cody [Riley], they were older because they had to sit that one year. So, they were a little more physical. But, look, we lost our five leading scorers from last year and replaced them with Lazar Stefanovic. WeтАЩre figuring it out." In any case, there's still a lot more figuring out to do this offseason...
The lack of fight has effects beyond this season. It forever has shattered the intimidation of the UCLA name and home court invincibility.
End stage Lavin did that and it was reestablished - not at Coach's level (which is basically impossible today) so it doesn't have to be forever
To find the Bruins at end stage Lavin (love that medical diagnosis) in CMC's 6th year is alarming, and requires immediate attention. Given the condition of the patient and limited options available, what treatment do you recommend? Dr. Baskets thinks the current course is fatal.
Honestly I want to be thoughtful in my response and I'd certainly defer to Dmitri's expertise regarding individual players and inside info... But I'd start by saying I don't care about pace - or at least it's not the major problem since there are different ways to win - I mean, Houston might very well be the overall #1 seed in the dance and they are currently #348 in pace...
Granting that the coaches are responsible for the makeup of the roster, I think the diagnosis has to start with player-led leadership and character. If adversity reveals character, it seems pretty clear that the reaction to the heartbreaker loss to Utah at Pauley - the worst week of practice all season and the quick collapse in the 2nd half at home against just $c revealed a lack of character and leadership within the group - which I think is what Mick was trying to say by saying "fight". It's why a reset is needed and likely why the coaches are so frustrated...
Can a winner be built around Andrews and Mack as they gain experience, more control and consistency, with Bona if he stays and further develops his game, with BWill in the rotation as a good instinctual rebounder who has to grow a lot? Yes - with bringing in guys like Keshon Johnson from places like SDSU - don't underestimate how important he is to zona - who may not be flashy but are winners and - I hate saying this - don't cost as much as the Caleb Loves of the world, argumented by winning more often in recruiting and focusing on player-led leadership and character - more Jaime's and fewer Shabazz's I suppose.
Go BRUINS
Oh, and for goodness gracious sakes alive - find someone who can hit the ocean consistently from a 22'-1-3/4" boat!
disagree. everyone in college basketball knows the youth of this team. sophomores play better than freshmen, but frankly most of these kids won't be invited back. will be a totally new group next year , for better or worse.
"Forever" sounds extreme (except for my moniker!), as there have been other awful, lackluster teams in past seasons at UCLA before the program got turned around (at least temporarily). Coach Cronin rode the same core group of players successfully for the past 4 seasons, then had to replace them all at once, and was just unable (apparently due to lack of NIL funding) to do a good job of recruiting and reloading the roster with a highly competitive group of players. And regarding the youth of this year's team, according to one analytics site (https://www.barttorvik.com), the Bruins have the 4th least-experienced team in all of Div. I basketball, so the players were all being thrown into the fire pretty early. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see if the coaching staff can improve the roster for their inaugural season in the Big-10 and whether lack of NIL funding will be used as an excuse if his new batch of recruits (or the entire team) doesn't end up performing well again.