In Reply to: Well that sounded promising.* posted by Cachorro on July 29, 2025 at 11:15:08
UCLA MBB's B1G Title Hopes: Rothstein's Observations & Predictions
After College Basketball guru Jon Rothstein visited UCLA practice on Monday, I dug into his takeaways and observations. Here's what stood out to me:
Rothstein's UCLA Insights
• Projected Starting Five: Donovan Dent, Skyy Clark, Eric Dailey Jr., Tyler Bilodeau, and Xavier Booker form a potent lineup. Dent's playmaking and Booker's spacing create explosive offense opportunities.
• X-Factors: Trent Perry's "Aberdeen Role" could be huge if he hits 8-10 PPG off the bench. I project Perry to start over Clark, and think his numbers land somewhere around 12 ppg, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal per game. Eric Freeny and Brandon Williams earned Cronin’s trust and confidence. They will be given opportunities to show their value.
My Thoughts
• Dailey's Impact: With Dailey slimmed down, he'll be able to play the SF effectively on both sides of the ball, which is huge for UCLA's versatility in the Big Ten. A 6’8” live, active wing is a necessity in that conference.
• What Can Brown Do For You: Jamar Brown's ability to shoot and win physical battles makes him a valuable asset. I expect him to play a huge role on the perimeter for UCLA this season.
• Bilodeau’s Breakthrough: Bilodeau's new cut physique was needed for him to play at maximum effort for extended periods. He’s no longer heavy-legged and a step slow, traits that plagued him last season on the defensive end at the center spot.
• The Dent Effect: Donovan Dent's magician-like vision creates easy buckets for teammates. His non-stop engine will drive UCLA's pace on both ends of the floor. While Cronin had a player like Tyger Campbell with exceptional passing skills, Dent's complete product - scoring and playmaking — is something he hasn’t had before, and will allow Perry, Clark, and Brown to thrive in various off-ball scenarios.
• Booker's Potential: Xavier Booker's potential as a full-time 5-man is an intriguing project, given his length and shooting ability. If he can develop his defensive skills, particularly at the rim, and improve his rebounding, he'll raise his draft stock. Paired with Steven Jamerson II, they'll form one of the most diverse and talked-about center tandems in college basketball, offering a unique combination of skills and versatility.
The Bottom Line
Rothstein saw a veteran team with Dent's genius, Booker's inside/out tools, and Cronin's glue guys doing the dirty work. If the defense catches up, UCLA will be a powerhouse in the Big Ten. With a multitude of capable reserves, including Trent Perry, Jamar Brown, Steven Jamerson II, Brandon Williams, and Eric Freeny, UCLA is well-positioned to compete for a top-three finish in the Big Ten, a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament, and natty #12.