UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin Admits Bruins Stuck In "Rebuilding Situation"

UCLA basketball coach Mick Cronin admits Bruins are rebuilding amid 8-10 start.

While your UCLA men's basketball program got a much-needed 73-61 win over the Washington Huskies, they still are far from satisfied with how this season has gone so far. The Bruins are 7-10, compared to when they were 17-2 around this time a season ago. 

Prior to their win over Washington, the Bruins had lost eight of their previous nine games. This included a record-threatening loss to the Utah Utes, which the Bruins lost 90-44. That was the second-biggest defeat in school history. 

UCLA head coach Mike Cronin was honest about the reality of the "rebuilding" season the Bruins have had, which has revolved around a roster primarily filled with freshmen and sophomores.

“Young team. It’s been a rebuilding situation for us this year," Cronin said at Tuesday's press conference. "We have lost a lot of close games. It’s been devastating for us and we’re not happy. But we have got to stay together, keep trying to get better. That's the situation we're in."

“It’s been a rebuilding situation for us this year. We have lost a lot of close games. It’s been devastating for us and we’re not happy. But we have got to stay together, keep trying to get better.”

Coach Cronin, speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning pic.twitter.com/BtHi31Z6Ws

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 16, 2024

Of course it's not surprising to see that UCLA has regressed this season after losing all of their starters from last season aside from sophomore Adem Bona. The Bruins lost upperclassmen Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyger Campbell and Jalen Clark, who were all members of the All-Pac-12 first or second team a season ago. This trio was key in the Bruins sustained success over the past several years, which included three consecutive Sweet 16 runs in the NCAA tournament. 

Still, it's always going to be disappointing for one of the most storied programs in college basketball history to be so far from success, especially after the Bruins went 31-6 a season ago. Even with major offseason changes to the starting lineup and overall roster, the Bruins would have hoped the transition to their newer starters could have gone smoother. 

The good news is the team did take steps forward in their win over Washington, with Bona crediting the team's improved energy as a significant factor in the win. The Bruins will try to replicate this type of play when they take on Arizona State and No. 12 Arizona later this week.