In Reply to: Re: Here's something I've been thinking about lately: posted by barrya on June 03, 2026 at 09:34:45
As for Cronin’s approach to recruiting, I agree that this strategy is a much better fit for him. Not only has he brought in younger, proven players, but these players also fit the profile of successful Cronin teams far better than some of the previous roster constructions. That said, like most things, it’s about finding the right balance.
If everything goes according to plan, UCLA should have a very strong foundation returning for the 2027-28 season. Booker would be the only senior, and with the potential impact of a 5-for-5 ruling, he could even have an additional year of eligibility. However, a strong returning core alone likely won’t be enough to make that team a true championship contender. At some point, Cronin has to land elite talent, whether that’s through the transfer portal or by signing a five-star, one-and-done prospect out of high school. Otherwise, you're essentially hoping someone like Trent makes a huge leap and decides to stay in school.
In my opinion, two things are essential to winning a championship. First, you have to be able to get stops when it matters. That was the biggest issue last season. UCLA could score, but it didn’t matter because they struggled to defend at critical moments. Second, it helps tremendously to have a player who can create his own shot or force defenses to send help. When possessions tighten up late in games, teams without that type of player often struggle to generate quality offense.
My hope is that the funds originally earmarked for a player like Blackwell are preserved and supplemented with future fundraising efforts. UCLA doesn’t need a roster full of elite, high-priced stars, but adding even one difference-maker can elevate a team when the foundation is already in place. At the same time, Cronin has to continue recruiting and developing four-star high school talent. I think players like Williams, Freeny, and Perry are going to play significant roles this season, and that only happens because they were already in the pipeline.
What’s becoming increasingly obvious is that programs have to identify, recruit, and develop talented big men early. Cronin has struggled in that area over the last several years. Quality size is at a premium in today’s game, and if you find a tall, skilled prospect, you need to get him into the program, keep him there, and invest in his development. The teams that consistently do that give themselves a major advantage.
I'm not one who feels we can't compete with the big-money schools, but it's also apparent that we're not going to have the funds to outbid others. Cronin will have to be way more strategic to bring a championship to Westwood.