"It’s not like I put a gun to anybody’s head" — Mick Cronin addresses UCLA roster shakeup while reaffirming Bruins' quest for national titles

UCLA coach Mick Cronin has shared that he doesn't try to forcefully dictate the transfer choices of the players. He added that he tries to influence players' choices, but a commitment to UCLA standards matters the most at the program.

Cronin shared his views while talking to reporters on Wednesday as UCLA had their first practice session of the season. He said that some players had left the program due to the transfer portal and NIL (name, image, and likeness), but many new faces had committed to UCLA:

“You know how I look at everything, man. I just tell it like it is. It’s not like I put a gun to anybody’s head. Obviously, you have to offer guys money. But they could have went other places. Guys are returning that could have left."

The transfer portal allows the players to choose a different program. Players try to switch programs to cash in on their popularity after the introduction of NIL.

Cronin had to deal with some departures this year. Berke Buyuktuncel went to Nebraska; Will McClendon committed to San Jose State.

Last season, Buyuktuncel averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and shot 38.5% from the field. McClendon averaged 4.1 points, and 3.3 rebounds and shot 33.9% from the field.

Cronin shared why staying at the top matters at UCLA. He added that winning should be the priority of the UCA players, per On3:

“It’s UCLA. We’re getting as many good players as we can because the standard here is try to hang up a banner. We could win the Big Ten regular-season championship. Our fans are not gonna care. They might be happy, but they’re really not gonna care. When you’re here, it’s about the NCAA tournament banners and that type of thing,”

The UCLA coach had some decent transfer additions this season. He roped in Skyy Clark, Tyler Bilodeau, Dominick Harris, William Kyle III and Eric Dailey Jr.

Mick Cronin on upholding the highest standards at UCLA

UCLA men's basketball has won a record 11 NCAA championships. The program has reached the Final Four 19 times.

With a glorious tradition to uphold, Cronin shared that expectations mattered at the program, per SI Sports:

"I'm a honest guy, so I'll just say what we don't look for, guys who just want to get paid. And I'm all for that, because I'd be first in line for a raise if they're giving them out.

"I think you've got to try to get some guys that actually are going to run to a place where there's high expectations of winning, and they actually have the humility and self-awareness to know they need to get better to get to where they want to go.

"We try to attract those kinds of guys and try to repel guys — this isn't the place where you're going to get your money and you're going to cause problems and not give effort."

In the last 17 years, UCLA has had only one Final Four appearance, in 2021. However, the team reached the Sweet 16 thrice in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Do you think that Mick Cronin is right to have such expectations from his payers at UCLA? Let us know in the comments section below.