In Reply to: Bilodeau is a good example of what Coach Cronin can do posted by ej on June 25, 2026 at 10:47:47
Cronin does a pretty good job of getting a lot out of his players, but not at getting the best players - Mara is the highest drafted player Cronin has brought to UCLA in his 7 years (and he couldn't keep him here).
Compare with the cavalcade of talent Howland, Alford and even Lavin brought in.
If we give JJJ to Alford (who recruited him), Cronin has brought 2 1st round picks to the program - Mara and Watson - neither of whom was a starter.
If you want to know why we're generally a first weekend team in the tourney, that's why.
And no, it's not all Cronin's fault - the landscape for player acquisition changed dramatically while he's been HC, and UCLA was slow to adjust (and I don't think Cronin has adjusted well, besides complaining he doesn't have money).