UCLA Basketball’s Best-Case Scenario for Next Season

UCLA basketball, and more specifically Mick Cronin, enters next season with a lot of pressure on them.

After leading the Bruins to the final four in just his second season as the Bruins head coach in 2020, Mick Cronin is now entering his eighth year and has not advanced to the Elite Eight since.

Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Last year, UCLA entered the season as the preseason 12th-ranked team in the country, with a top transfer portal class and key returning players.

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With all the players on the roster like Donovan Dent, Tyler Biladeau, Skyy Clark, and Trent Perry entering their sophomore year, UCLA was seen as a team that could reach the Elite Eight and challenge for a spot in the Final Four.

Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the second half against the Southern California Trojans at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Sadly for the Bruins, they were one of the more disappointing teams in college basketball, finishing the year unranked with a 24-12 record.

Now heading into next year, Biladeau, Dent, and Clark all left, with Perry the only major player returning.

Best Case Scenario

Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) shoots the ball in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Big Ten is arguably the best conference in college basketball. Michigan just won the national championship, with Illinois also making the final four. Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Purdue are all teams that can compete for a national championship next season.

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With so much competition in the Big Ten…

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Publish date : 2026-06-21 11:00:00

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