golf and races, the object of most sports is to score more points than the opposition.
Cronin's philosophy is not to outscore the opposition, but rather have the opposition score less than he does. Unfortunately, all to often, the opposition doesn't adhere or cooperate with Cronin's goals.
It's time for Cronin to;
1. Recruit players who are scoring assassins anywhere from the rim to beyond the three point line.
2. Go to the portal and transfer in players who are scoring assassins anywhere from the rim to beyond the three point line.
3. Hire coaches who are offense-gurus who can explain offensive schemes and provide plays for the assassins to, well, assassinate.
4. THEN AND ONLY THEN, Cronin can teach them to play defense.
Otherwise, UCLA Basketball will continue to be also-rans and Pauley will go the way of the Parthenon...just an historical structure with its glory days behind it.