UCLA Basketball Eyes Major Roster Changes to Rebound After Early Tournament Exit

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin realizes that changes are needed.

The Bruins finished fourth in the Big Ten this year. This on the surface isn’t a bad result considering the roster turnover, rampant travel, and the transition into a new conference. Having said that, this is the most successful brand in the sport. Losing in the Round of 32 to Tennessee highlighted some glaring needs for the roster next year.

Namely, improved guard play and some muscle up front.

We’re already seeing this roster morph into something that should look a bit different next year. In less than a week, three Bruins — William Kyle, Dylan Andrews, Devin Williams — have announced their intentions to transfer.

Kyle was essentially the third-string center last year. While a very good athlete, he did not acclimate to high D1 basketball very well having come from South Dakota State. Williams redshirted last year and was a non-factor via an inability to get bigger and stronger.

Andrews was a two-year starter in the program. There were glimpses of a guy that could be an all-conference player. However, he also suffered from what appeared to be some major confidence issues. While a great kid all things considered, getting a fresh start elsewhere probably was best for his career moving forward.

On the other end of the spectrum, Skyy Clark and Tyler Bilodeau have declared their intentions to return. It’s highly likely Aday Mara, Eric Dailey Jr., Eric Freeny, and Trent Perry return giving the Bruins the majority of the team’s core from this past year.

Getting an elite guard is imperative. UCLA lacked a consistent go-to scorer that could take players off the dribble and finish in the paint. Sebastian Mack was the closest thing to that — though his volatile play wasn’t conducive to high-level efficiency. It’s unknown at this time as to whether Mack will return.

Donovan Dent by all accounts is the top target for the program. Being a Southern California native, it would make sense UCLA is an attractive destination. He’d immediately step in as the lead guard for this team, and a Dent-Clark pairing would in theory make sense with both possessing combo guard skills.

Kobe Johnson and Lazar Stefanovic have both graduated. It leaves the team with a sizable hole at the wing spot. If UCLA opts to go bigger next year with Mara starting at the five and Bilodeau at the four, there could possibly be a world where Dailey Jr. slims down a bit to man the three spot. It would enable Bilodeau to play his natural position, the team to be better at rebounding the basketball, and for Mara — the best NBA prospect on the roster — to blossom as a potential first-round pick.

In a perfect world, UCLA would nab Dent followed by two wing types that are athletic shooters. In that archetype, one probably would be an upperclassmen with experience, whereas the other a young player with multiple years of eligibility left that Cronin can mold.

Lastly, UCLA needs a burly, physical player to back Mara up at the center spot. Rebounding was a major issue for this team — especially when relinquishing offensive rebounds. The Bruins didn’t have an imposing player to utilize in the front court. With Williams and Kyle now gone, there’s ample reserve minutes available for a big to come in and impact.

Should UCLA hit on all of these targets, along with the preexisting players coming back, the Bruins could be a sneaky title contender next season.