The Resurgence of UCLA Basketball: A New Era of Excellence
The 2023-24 season was a disappointing one for UCLA Bruins basketball, with a paltry 16-17 record that left fans and coaches alike wondering what had gone wrong. However, with a slew of new transfers and a revamped strategy, head coach Mick Cronin is poised to turn things around in a big way.
A New Look Bruins Team
Gone are the days of relying on international prospects; Cronin has instead opted to focus on domestic talent, bringing in a slew of high-caliber players from across the country. Skyy Clark, a former Louisville guard, joins the team alongside Kobe Johnson, a talented small forward from USC. Eric Dailey Jr., a power forward from Oklahoma State, and Tyler Bilodeau, a forward from Oregon State, round out the new additions. And let’s not forget William Kyle III, a big man from South Dakota State, and Dominick Harris, a sharpshooter from LMU.
“I’m super excited to have these guys on board,” Cronin said in a recent interview. “We’re looking to make a big impact this season.”
Analytics Point to a Bright Future
According to the Bart Torvik T-Rankings, UCLA is projected to finish the season with a 24-7 record, good for eighth in the nation. This would be a massive improvement over last season’s dismal performance, and a testament to Cronin’s revamped strategy.
The Bruins are looking to bounce back in a big way this season.
Deivon Smith: The Transfer Who Could Make All the Difference
Meanwhile, St. John’s has added Utah transfer Deivon Smith to their roster, a move that could pay big dividends for the Red Storm. Smith, a fifth-year senior, averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game last season, earning him a reputation as one of the top players in the NCAA.
“Deivon reminds me of Terry Rozier,” said St. John’s coach Rick Pitino. “He’s a total dog who rebounds, creates, and scores.”
![Deivon Smith in action](_search_image Deivon Smith basketball) Smith is looking to make a big impact in his new role.
A New Era of Excellence
As the Bruins look to bounce back from a disappointing season, they’ll be relying on a mix of new talent and revamped strategy to get the job done. With Cronin at the helm, UCLA is poised to make a big impact in the NCAA this season. Will they be able to live up to the hype?
![UCLA Bruins in action](_search_image UCLA Bruins basketball) The Bruins are looking to make a statement this season.