In Reply to: Re: Plan C posted by BruinsFTW on February 20, 2025 at 15:19:20
Cronin inherited a 17-16 team that lost to Liberty at home by 15 points. The core of his best teams, Jaquez, Juzang and Campbell never played for Alford. The best player he inherited from Alford was Chris Smith, who played one season for Cronin and then got hurt. If it was so easy to win at UCLA, how come they never accomplished much the previous 10 years?
On the other hand, Tennessee was a very good program under Bruce Pearl and Cuonzo Martin, After Pearl ran into trouble and Martin quit, they were 16-16 the year before Barnes took over. Then he had two poor seasons, two good ones but won only three tournament games those years, then two more mediocre years. Then a good season but lost in the 2nd round of the tournament. It took until his 7th season at Tennessee to become nationally recognized.
Imagine Barnes coaching Jaquez and Campbell and others
I don't have to imagine what he did at Texas with Kevin Durant and three other future NBA players. They lost in the 2nd round to USC by 19 points!
Sure, Barnes is a good coach, but you can't assume how he would have done at UCLA. We know how you hate Cronin, so your whole take is heavily biased if not deluded. Cronin has done a good job here and that's all that matters.