Post by mhbruin on Apr 29, 2021 8:59:41 GMT -8
Next are the 4th place UCLA Bruins, who may be the hardest team in the league to figure out, with four key players said to be undecided about their future. What will Chris Smith, Johnny Juzang, Cody Riley, and Jaimie Jaquez decide? I doubt that any of them know the answer today.
Those four undecided players combined for 118 minutes, 51 points, and 21 rebounds per game. That's 59% of the minutes, 70% of the points, and 60% of the rebounds.
I know those figures are skewed, because Smith only played in 8 games, but still, that's a lot of production we could lose.
For the time being, all we can do is wait. Once again, here are the key dates.
However, there is one thing that isn't uncertain. This is a team on the verge of returning to elite status. There's plenty of talent return and coming in.
GRADUATING
- None -
IN THE DRAFT
At this point the only player who has formally declared is Juzang, and he hasn't ruled out returning.
I think that the others like Jaquez should put their names in. There is no downside to getting feedback. No downside for them, at least. We will all fret for the next 4 months.
TRANSFERRING OUT
UCLA is the only team in the Pac-12 with no player in the transfer portal. We are one of only 3 major conference teams with no outgoing transfers.
RETURNING
Until they announce otherwise, I will keep Smith, Jaquez, and Riley in the "Returning" category.
Then add in a great recruiting class. This may not have a top national ranking, but class rankings give a lot of weight to how many players are in the class. A two-player class isn't going to rank that high.
We are adding a McDonald's All-American and another Top 50 player.
Those four undecided players combined for 118 minutes, 51 points, and 21 rebounds per game. That's 59% of the minutes, 70% of the points, and 60% of the rebounds.
I know those figures are skewed, because Smith only played in 8 games, but still, that's a lot of production we could lose.
For the time being, all we can do is wait. Once again, here are the key dates.
| May 30 | Early entry application deadline (10:59 p.m. CT) |
| June 21 - June 27 | NBA Draft Combine |
| June 22 | NBA Draft Lottery (7:30 p.m. CT) |
| July 19 | Withdrawal deadline (4 p.m. CT) |
| July 29 | NBA Draft (7 p.m. CT) |
However, there is one thing that isn't uncertain. This is a team on the verge of returning to elite status. There's plenty of talent return and coming in.
GRADUATING
- None -
IN THE DRAFT
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Johnny Juzang | 32 | 16 | 4 | 2 |
At this point the only player who has formally declared is Juzang, and he hasn't ruled out returning.
I think that the others like Jaquez should put their names in. There is no downside to getting feedback. No downside for them, at least. We will all fret for the next 4 months.
TRANSFERRING OUT
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Destination |
| - None - |
UCLA is the only team in the Pac-12 with no player in the transfer portal. We are one of only 3 major conference teams with no outgoing transfers.
RETURNING
Until they announce otherwise, I will keep Smith, Jaquez, and Riley in the "Returning" category.
| Player | Games | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Class | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank |
| Chris Smith | 8 | 28 | 13 | 6 | 2 | Sr 5 | 3 | 141 |
| Jaimie Jaquez | 32 | 35 | 12 | 6 | 2 | Jr | 4 | 82 |
| Tyger Campbell | 32 | 35 | 10 | 2 | 5 | Jr | 4 | 87 |
| Jules Bernard | 32 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 2 | Sr | 4 | 41 |
| Cody Riley | 31 | 23 | 10 | 5 | 1 | Sr | 4 | 44 |
| David Singleton | 32 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | Sr | 4 | 80 |
| Jake Kyman | 31 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Jr | 3 | 170 |
| Mac Etienne | 13 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 0 | So | 4 | 49 |
| Jaylen Clark | 31 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | So | 4 | 108 |
| Kenneth Nwuba | 18 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Jr | 3 | 241 |
Even if none of the "big three" return, this is still a damned good core of players. That's four Top 100 players and Jaylen Clark is almost a fifth.
Juzang, Jaquez, and Riley didn't carry us to the Final Four alone. The rest of the roster contributed.
At this point, only three of these guys are Cronin recruits. (Cronin recruited Tyger at Cincinnati.) Cronin is doing this with mostly Alford's players, although they don't really look like it anymore. He is just starting to build his own roster.
Juzang, Jaquez, and Riley didn't carry us to the Final Four alone. The rest of the roster contributed.
At this point, only three of these guys are Cronin recruits. (Cronin recruited Tyger at Cincinnati.) Cronin is doing this with mostly Alford's players, although they don't really look like it anymore. He is just starting to build his own roster.
RECRUITS(#33 class, #5 in Pac-12)
Then add in a great recruiting class. This may not have a top national ranking, but class rankings give a lot of weight to how many players are in the class. A two-player class isn't going to rank that high.
| Player | Position | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank | Offers |
| Peyton Watson | SF | 5 | 10 | Michigan, Oregon, USC, Arkansas |
| Will McClendon | SG | 4 | 45 | Illinois, Mississippi, Texas A&M, USC |
We are adding a McDonald's All-American and another Top 50 player.
247 may list Watson as a SF, but he may be able to play any position, including PG. He has a 7-3 wingspan, and is still growing into his body. Because of his height, length, slender body (but much stronger than he looks) and skills, he'll get compared to Tayshaun Prince, but he elevates higher and faster than Prince. He is an instant impact player.
You can see highlights of Peyton and younger brother Christian here
McClendon is an excellent prospect in his own right. Cronin will have the good kind of problem: finding PT for all these guys who are ready to contribute.
TRANSFERRING IN
To add to the embarrassment of riches:
He's not a 4-star, but he is a proven player in a major conference. He had as many blocked shots per game as our top three shot blockers combined.
CONCLUSION
The big question hanging over this roster is the status of Juzang, Jaquez, Smith, and Riley. I doubt we will know much about any of them for quite a while.
Keep in mind that this is a VERY deep draft and next year's draft is expected to be a lot weaker. A young man like Juzang is likely to be told that he will be a second-round pick this year, but a first-round pick next year. How will that affect his decision? You'd have to ask him.
Perhaps the best news so far is that Savino was not offered the Cincinnati job. Out outstanding coaching staff remains intact.
It's way too early to make predictions, but it's hard to see a scenario where we are not the favorite to win the Pac-12 and to get a high tournament seed. Start planning your trip to San Diego for the first two rounds.
You can see highlights of Peyton and younger brother Christian here
McClendon is an excellent prospect in his own right. Cronin will have the good kind of problem: finding PT for all these guys who are ready to contribute.
TRANSFERRING IN
To add to the embarrassment of riches:
| Player | Size | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | From | Class | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank |
| Myles Johnson | 6-10 255 | 24 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 2.4 | Rutgers | Sr | 3 | 371 |
He's not a 4-star, but he is a proven player in a major conference. He had as many blocked shots per game as our top three shot blockers combined.
CONCLUSION
The big question hanging over this roster is the status of Juzang, Jaquez, Smith, and Riley. I doubt we will know much about any of them for quite a while.
Keep in mind that this is a VERY deep draft and next year's draft is expected to be a lot weaker. A young man like Juzang is likely to be told that he will be a second-round pick this year, but a first-round pick next year. How will that affect his decision? You'd have to ask him.
Perhaps the best news so far is that Savino was not offered the Cincinnati job. Out outstanding coaching staff remains intact.
It's way too early to make predictions, but it's hard to see a scenario where we are not the favorite to win the Pac-12 and to get a high tournament seed. Start planning your trip to San Diego for the first two rounds.