Last season was a drama-filled rebuild year for UCLA. Head coach Mick Cronin made national headlines a couple of times for his post-game remarks. The Bruins went 16-17 on the year. Following three straight second-weekend trips to the NCAA Tournament. With a handful of guys back and plenty of experienced transfers coming in, the Bruins should be able to bounce right back. UCLA’s front court got its trio of additions this offseason. Correlate that all three players should have sizable roles for Mick Cronin. UCLA remains a College basketball betting brand based on events from 50 years ago.
2024-25 UCLA Bruins Basketball Preview
| UCLA Bruins | Odds |
|---|---|
| National Championship Odds: | +6000 |
2024-25 UCLA Bruins Basketball Outlook
At the onset, highlighting the returners is the young backcourt duo of Dylan Andrews (13 ppg, 4 apg) and Sebastian Mack (12 ppg, 4 rpg). Andrews broke out as a sophomore, even in a bad Bruins team, jumping up nearly 10 ppg. Also, he became the team’s leading ball handler. Now a junior, the weight will be on Andrews’ shoulders to be a leader in the backcourt for this team.
In like manner to Andrews, Mack is a non-threat from outside the arc. But he is still a promising scorer as a freshman. He showed online betting potential on the defensive side of things as well. With Andrews and Mack both back, the Bruins have consistency in the backcourt. And the duo should be able to raise their shooting percentages by good marks with new surrounding talent.
Sharpshooting Lazar Stefanovic (12 ppg, 6 rpg) continues the list of returners for the Bruins. Stefanovic transferred last offseason from Utah. Subsequently, he was the Bruins’ most consistent player and one of the few veterans on the roster last season. With how the projected lineup shook out, we have Stefanovic coming off the bench. Still, there is a high possibility that he will start for the Bruins.
7-3 center Aday Mara (4 ppg) wasn’t a huge NCAABB betting factor for the Bruins as a freshman. However, he has a full year of college basketball now under his belt. In turn, he can start to develop into an important front-court player for UCLA. Sophomores Brandon Williams (3 ppg) and Devin Williams (1 ppg) are the final returners. They are two more returners from last year’s large freshman class.
Six players left the UCLA basketball program this offseason. Specifically, they were less important than forward Adem Bona (12 ppg, 6 rpg). He chose the professional route after his sophomore year. Along with Bona departing in the frontcourt were forwards Berke Buyuktuncel (5 ppg) and Kenneth Nwuba (1 ppg). Meanwhile, in the backcourt, Will McClendon (4 ppg), Jan Vide (2 ppg), and Ilane Fibleuil (1 ppg) all left the program.
The Bruins may have brought in one of our favorite transfer classes in all of college basketball this offseason. Starting with former rival Kobe Johnson (11 ppg, 5 rpg at USC). Johnson has proven to be a high-level player at the power conference level over the past two seasons. Accordingly, he excels with his length on the defensive end.
The addition of Johnson on the wing for the Bruins can’t be understated. Hence, we think he will shine as one of the best defenders in the Big Ten. Skyy Clark (13 ppg at Louisville), even playing at the dumpster fire of Louisville, had a solid sophomore season. Certainly, the talent is there, something that has been known for a handful of years now.