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lakershen
Joined: 1/08/25 Posts: 209
Enough is enough
Posted Wed, Jan 08 7:31 pm
Registered on the forum for the first time. Went to UCLA in 1996, the year after we won our last NCAA championship. It is hard to believe that it has been 30 years. There's no question that Mick is a great coach. However, he is the perfect coach for a school fighting for relevance, but not for UCLA. With last night's embarrassing loss, I think I’ve seen enough. Mick is not the coach to bring UCLA back to another national championship. His dedication and defensive mindset are superb. However, it can only carry us to the Sweet 16. He lacks the ability to recruit, teach, and coach for a championship team.

Watching last night's game reminded me of how the #1 UCLA women's basketball team rolled over their weaker opponents. It's not because the opponents aren’t playing hard—they are simply outplayed by talent, especially size. When was the last time UCLA had a top-five recruiting class in the nation? When was the last time UCLA contributed a lottery pick to the NBA? There's a reason the better players are not willing to come to UCLA. If my son were a five-star recruit, seeing how Mara is developed and how Dylan Andrews is struggling, there’s no way I’d send him to UCLA. The way Andrews or any point guard plays right now is so miserable. Basically, the coach is calling every play from the sideline. The players have no freedom to play and are afraid to make any mistakes. One turnover? Sorry, you’re out.

We need a coach who knows how to recruit five-stars, who knows how to teach, who knows how to give players time and patience to develop, and ultimately who can bring a championship back to Westwood. Forget about that one amazing Final Four run. It was delusional. It was all about peaking at the right time, especially the heroic play of Johnny Juzang. Most of the players on that team were recruited by Steve Alford anyway. As a diehard Bruin fan, it’s not fun anymore to watch the way UCLA plays right now. It’s not because of losing; it’s because of the way they play. Mark my words: Mick needs to be fired and will be fired.
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ShowtimeUCLA
Joined: 11/19/17 Posts: 1,974
Cronin is likely done at UCLA
Posted Wed, Jan 08 8:11 pm
In response to Enough is enough (lakershen)
UCLA needs to start looking to the future. Cronin will almost certainly enter next season on the hot seat. Outside of that final four run, he’s basically had the same level of success as Steve Alford. Cronin is a better coach than Alford but unfortunately hasn’t done much. His offensive system is nonexistent, doesn’t recruit at a high level, fails to make good evaluations, doesn’t develop players, and has an abrasive personality.

lakershen
Joined: 1/08/25 Posts: 209
No one wants to come to UCLA and play for Mick
Posted Thu, Jan 09 4:41 am
In response to Enough is enough (lakershen)
The reality is very harsh. Look at the 2025 recruiting class rankings. Most top players are gone and we have zero commit. It's not just about the NIT money, no one wants to come to UCLA and play for Mick. A team that plays hard-nosed defense, relying on a bunch of three and four star recruits and transfer portal players, can only go so far. Fire Mick now, promote a player development coach as the interim coach, and build the team around Mara. He is the only 5-star recruit on this team and the only potential NBA lottery pick if developed right. If we don't act now, another year will be wasted.

As Mick said, he has already accomplished enough. There’s no way he will change. He is a great coach and a great person, but he’s just not the right fit for UCLA, a program with championship aspirations.

https://247sports.com/season/2025-basketball/recruitrankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool
https://247sports.com/season/2025-basketball/compositeteamrankings/
Replies to this subthread

tomodach
Joined: 12/27/14 Posts: 5,454
Isn't that what happens in the tourney??
Posted Thu, Jan 09 6:34 am (Edited Thu, Jan 09 6:37 am)
In response to Enough is enough (lakershen)
Teams that win all peak at the right time. Ridiculous to dismiss any final 4 appearance. By they way, UCLA is a school fighting for Basketball relevance since JRW. Also, this is a new era of NIL. You have to have a mix of transfers, veterans, and a minimal amount of 5 stars. How many teams win championships with a team full of 5star freshman?? Does not happen. Who would you recommend to be the next coach??
Replies to this subthread

tomodach
Joined: 12/27/14 Posts: 5,454
Calling the final four run delusional
Posted Thu, Jan 09 8:37 am
In response to Enough is enough (lakershen)
Is not dismissing it???b By the way, why did Alford not make it was those same recruits??