UCLA Basketball: Struggling Freshman Bruin Called Out By Mick Cronin

Your UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team entered the year with a very young roster, so inexperience would be an issue all season. So far, it has shown itself with this team and has cost them a few games.

But the Bruins continue to push through it all the best they can. They know that with more playing time together, things should get better. But they also need their guys to step up.

One such player is freshman center Aday Mara, who has struggled through his first few collegiate games. Through the Bruins’ first six games, Mara is only averaging 4.5 points and three rebounds a game.

He is seven-foot-three and should be dominating on the glass. Head coach Mick Cronin needs him to be better for this team going forward.

“Just trying to win the game,” Cronin said. “He’s got to get better — great kid, he’s got to get better.”

Per Mick Cronin via The LA Times

His performance has seen him on the bench more than the floor, and it's been tough to watch. Many saw him with real potential entering the season, and there is still time to turn things around for himself

"While no one should make definitive judgments six games into a season, Mara appears in need of more strength to play at this level. He has been unable to parlay being 7-3 into any sort of dominance, playing only three foul-plagued minutes against Gonzaga."

Per Ben Bolch of The LA Times

While it is early for the Bruins, getting these reps in now will make all the difference down the line. The team needs him to step up his game, otherwise, he will continue to watch from the bench instead of impacting how the game plays out.

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