How UCLA Can Build More Offseason Hype

Right now UCLA is not trending in the right direction.

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin gestures to his team against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

It is clear that UCLA has not gotten much attention from the national media this offseason, but the bigger question is why.

In today’s discussion, we break down why UCLA has not been able to turn heads with its transfer class despite ranking No. 23 in the nation and fifth in the Big Ten, while also looking at how the Bruins could still shift the narrative with limited roster space remaining.

Watch Today's Episode Below

For starters, the word that keeps coming up is fragility. Right now, UCLA feels like a top-heavy team where one thing going wrong could send the season into a downward spiral. That concern is valid given how much the roster relies on a few key players.

Trent Perry and Eric Dailey Jr. are the only clear-cut stars on the roster. Xavier Booker is trending upward, but he has yet to prove he can sustain that level of play over a full season. If Perry and Dailey Jr. do not produce at a high level, UCLA’s ceiling drops quickly.

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Xavier Booker (1) reacts against the UConn Huskies in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Another major issue is the center position. UCLA did not fully address it this offseason, which means the Bruins will likely rely on a patchwork solution throughout the 2026–27 season. That could force undersized players into roles that require size and physicality — something UCLA still lacks compared to top Big Ten teams.

Offensively, UCLA has not yet clearly defined its identity. While that will ultimately be determined once the season begins, the current roster lacks the proven high-level scorers it had last year in Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau. That again puts added pressure on Perry and Dailey Jr. to carry the load.

How UCLA Can Change Its Fate

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The path to changing that narrative is simple in theory: add elite talent and maximize the final two roster spots. In reality, with the portal slowing down, that is much easier said than done. Either way, UCLA must figure out how to position itself among the league's best.

Tounde Yessoufou was a name heavily linked to UCLA and would have been a perfect fit. His scoring ability could have addressed multiple concerns at once, but with his decision to stay in the draft, that opportunity is now gone. UCLA now needs to figure out how to find a player of his caliber instead.

Mar 19, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin speaks with the media before a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The bottom line is that UCLA has had an okay offseason, but not one that demands national attention. Considering the Bruins were viewed as a top-12 team around this time last year, the drop in perception reflects both the roster turnover and the lack of a true headline addition.