UCLA Basketball: Pundit Believes Bruins Can Rebound by Replicating Cronin's Old Squad

Your 2023-24 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team hasn't gotten off to a great start this season, and their lack of experience has really shown. This team hasn't been able to run with the basics of the game, and closing out games has been a major issue so far.

However, Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times believes that the Bruins can turn things around, and they may just have the blueprint in hand. This season is similar to the first season under head coach Mick Cronin.

"UCLA’s sputtering start to this season is reminiscent of coach Mick Cronin’s first season in Westwood. That team relied heavily on freshmen and sophomores as well, the Bruins struggling for 2½ months before Cronin solidified his rotation and forged a winning identity centered on toughness and defense."

Per Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times

There have been both ups and downs this season for UCLA, but they are learning along the way. Nobody expected them to come out of the gates blazing, but they do need more discipline than they have shown.

They have shown the ability to hang tight with some of the better teams around the country, but they just can't get over the hump. But at some point, they will have to start putting up quality wins, if anything, just to boost their resume for March.

UCLA needs to go through these growing pains to get themselves back into shape. Cronin is a good coach, and he should be able to help push this team through the adversity.

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