Coming off of 3 Sweet 16 appearances in last 4 years, UCLA HC Mick Cronin shares team’s attitude and dynamics

UCLA coach Mick Cronin has been positive about the Bruins' attitude and dynamics going into the 2024-25 college basketball season despite moving from the Pac-12 Conference to the Big Ten Conference.

Cronin, who is set to coach UCLA for his sixth year, shared the things he saw during the offseason in a sit-down interview with Big Ten Network host Rick Pizzo along with UCLA players Dylan Andrews and Kobe Johnson.

The Bruins saw their streak of three straight Sweet 16 appearances broken last season when it tallied a 16-17 (10-10 in Pac-12) record. However, despite the stigma of not getting into the NCAA Tournament, the attitude within the team was so positive and empowering that returning players were accommodating and helpful to the new recruits in adjusting to the system.

Cronin saw that in incoming senior Lazar Stefanovic, who welcomed the addition of former USC player Kobe Johnson. The veteran coach noted that Stefanovic wants to return to the NCAA Tournament and he knows that having additional pieces to boost your team will increase the chance of going into the knockout rounds.

"(Lazar Stefanovic) played major minutes last year. He's a senior and he's a great guy and he's all about the team. I saw Lazar's attitude when Kobe committed and Lazar immediately first texted 'I got this is a great get for us."

"You know he wants to go to the NCAA tournament. He wants to win so that's the attitude you want, but you're trying to empower guys that haven't ever played a game at UCLA," Cronin said of Stefanovic. [5:35-5:55]

The veteran coach, who led UCLA to the 2021 national final against Gonzaga and two straight Sweet 16 appearances in 2022 and 2023, also pointed out that the dynamics of creating a new team and making them work as a unit are different from the previous years.

"So it's a new era and and like new hurdles you have to cross as a coach. Trying to get new transfers to talk and take ownership. It all goes down to our freshman. I told them: 'You didn't come here to wait you got to step in and you know we all got to go after it right away,'" he said. [6:28-6:52]

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UCLA coach Mick Cronin values the return of guards Sebastian Mack and Dylan Andrews

Another thing that UCLA coach Mick Cronin is thankful for this coming season is the return of guards Sebastian Mack and Dylan Andrews.

Andrews and Mack were two of the team's top three scorers last season but what Cronin loves about them is that they know how to take care of the ball.

"I just think it's really hard to be a great team without some returning guards that have played for you. They understand the value of taking care of the basketball," Cronin said. [4:50-5:01]

"Returning guards is a valuable thing for a coach (as they minimize) your stress levels," he added. [5:15-5:20].

Andrews and Mack combined for 5.3 assists per game but turned over the ball 3.5 times per outing last season. They also contributed on offense, with Mack averaging 12.1 ppg and Andrews 12.9 ppg.

UCLA will play an exhibition game against Cal State-L.A. on Oct. 30 at the Pauley Pavilion and start their 2024-25 college basketball campaign with a non-conference clash against Rider on Nov. 4.

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