The Hard Truth Facing Mick Cronin With UCLA Basketball

UCLA basketball has not been what it once was, to say the least. In the past three seasons, the Bruins have finished the year with fewer than 25 wins and have not advanced past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In fact, most Bruin fans are still holding on to that Final Four run in 2021. With the status of a blue blood in college basketball, you must live up to the expectations every single year, and unfortunately, UCLA has failed to do that.

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What’s the Issue With the Bruins?

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With the recent results coming out of Bruin basketball, you have to ask: What’s going wrong? It doesn’t seem as if UCLA is devoid of any serious talent. Talented players like Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Donovan Dent have come and gone without much to show for it.

Even talented players like Aday Mara have come through the program, but eventually found a key to unlock their potential elsewhere, as Mara did at Michigan. It’s discouraging if you’re a Bruins fan, and eventually you start looking for someone to blame.

Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins center Aday Mara (15) drives to the basket against Utah State Aggies guard Ian Martinez (4) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mick Cronin is a great basketball coach, no question about it. But when things don’t live up to how they are supposed to, coaches receive the blame. For Cronin’s future to be in full tact, it may be imperative that he doesn’t give anyone a reason to fire him this season.

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis yells down court Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against…

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Publish date : 2026-08-11 14:00:00

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