UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin Reveals Why Aday Mara is Getting Less Minutes for Bruins

Mick Cronin details what has led to Aday Mara getting fewer minutes on the court.
UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin Reveals Why Aday Mara is Getting Less Minutes for Bruins
UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin Reveals Why Aday Mara is Getting Less Minutes for Bruins /
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The UCLA Bruins came away with a big win last night, as the team snapped their four-game losing streak. The Bruins beat 69-62, and are now officially 1-0 in conference play. 

Surprisingly, their big win came without involving Aday Mara at all. The freshman center only saw two minutes on the court. While it may seem a bit odd that the big-bodied player was kept out, Mick Cronin revealed what led to his decision to seemingly bench Mara for the entire game. 

Coach Cronin has been big on defense, and it's a big reason why the team was struggling so much before conference play began. The team picked up a staggering 14 turnovers during last night's showdown. 

Mara can be the type of player who bullies his way into rebounds and takeaways, but that is an aspect of his game that he needs to improve. Should he do so, then Coach Cronin would have a bigger reason to keep him in the game. 

Adem Bona secured 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals. Should Mara be able to mimic this type of output, it would make him a dangerous one-two combo with Bona. 

The team got a much-needed win last night, and the hope is they can continue to gel. Mara will need to step his game up to be included more. 


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James Brizuela
JAMES BRIZUELA

James Brizuela has been a professional writer since 2019. After covering entertainment and the NFL for Sportskeeda, he now works as an Assignment Desk Editor for the LA Sports Report Network which has partnered with the Sports Illustrated FanNation Network, focusing on his expertise in LA sports at the college and professional level.