The UCLA Bruins men’s basketball program have worked absolute wonders in the transfer portal. They have brought in six players, as well as a commitment from former USC commit Trent Perry.
As such, the Bruins are being talked about as one of the top teams in the new-look Big Ten Conference. Isaac Trotter of 247Sports compiled a way-too-early power rankings list, and UCLA is at the top spot. Here’s what Trotter wrote about UCLA:
One bad season did a number on Mick Cronin. UCLA smashed in the portal and built one of the deepest teams in the country. There are so many good pieces on this roster. Andrews’ pull-up jumper should be deadly in Year 3. Johnson was far from the problem at USC. He could be a nasty two-way dude at UCLA. The Bruins couldn’t make a layup to save their lives last year, so they went into the portal for Bilodeau who was highly efficient around the rim. UCLA couldn’t make a jumper last year, so it went into the portal and landed Dominick Harris who shot over 40% from downtown on high volume.
UCLA’s frontcourt depth wasn’t good enough last year, so it went into the portal for Bilodeau, William Kyle III and Eric Dailey Jr. who all do something else well. Bilodeau is skilled and has soft touch. Dailey is a terrific driver who can attack long closeouts with a vengeance. Kyle has an insane wing span and should be that play-finisher UCLA’s frontcourt needed. Oh, and Brandon Williams is still around and the soon-to-be-sophomore isn’t going to give up his minutes without a fight.
Some hard conversations might be on tap because there isn’t playing time for everybody. That feels like just the way Cronin likes it. The defensive effort should be top-notch to avoid the pine.
The roster juggling is going to be something difficult for Mick Cronin and his staff to deal with, but that’s a good problem to have. Only time will tell how good this UCLA team will be for the 2024-2025 season.