In Reply to: Re: Cameron Boozer the real deal posted by barrya on October 27, 2025 at 06:54:45
Huge year ahead. One of the main knocks on Cronin has always been that he handcuffs his players offensively — just look at the B. Davis and G. Arenas exchange, when Davis questioned Arenas’s son's decision to commit to suc. So yes, this is a big one. If Dent struggles, it will only reinforce that perception for some. We’re already seeing fewer highly rated recruits as part of UCLA’s makeup. Granted, there are other factors at play.
On the other hand, if Dent plays well, it could go a long way toward quieting the critics.
While many reasons have been mentioned for Howland’s eventual dismissal, I’ve always thought the biggest factor was the perceived breakdown in recruiting within Southern California. College basketball has changed quite a bit since then, but if you pair a lack of high-level recruits with a disappointing season, the criticism will come quickly. In my opinion, this is a very big year for Cronin.