Mick Cronin discusses how UCLA's rotation has changed without Jaylen Clark

Mick Cronin had a rotation quandary to figure out with Jaylen Clark out for the season with an Achilles injury. Cronin had to figure out who he wanted to fill in Clark’s spot in the UCLA starting lineup.

Senior guard David Singleton has been the Bruins’ sixth man throughout the season and is one of the team leaders. But Cronin also considered Will McClendon, a redshirt freshman guard who only averages 9.9 minutes per game but is going to be expected to step up in Clark’s absence.

Cronin has elected to go with Singleton for their Pac-12 Tournament opener against Colorado.

“Part of me wanted to start Will just because I like having Dave off the bench,” Cronin said after the game. “I like being able to sub in a starter. In case you get off to a slow start, you can put a guy in that can immediately bank in a couple shots for you.”

Singleton has started games over his five years in Westwood but has never been a full-time starter. In 159 career games, he has started 35 games.

This year has been his best season as Bruin. He is averaging 9.3 points per game and is a career 43.4% 3-point shooter.

“David’s been the most loyal player I’ve ever coached,” Cronin said. “The guy, my first year I insert him in the starting lineup and we almost win the Pac-12. It turns our season around, just by following orders. That was his worst shooting year because he was coming off the broken foot. The next year Johnny Juzang walks in and David doesn’t start, doesn’t play near as much, doesn’t say a word, steps up big, helps us beat Alabama in overtime, we go to the Final Four. So he goes to a non-starter. Never once bats an eye. These guys will tell you, he’s the guy talking in the huddle, he’s the guy that says bring it in.”

With that background and Singleton’s impact on the team, Cronin has decided to role with Singleton in the starting lineup.

“He deserves to start,” Cronin said. “Strategically a part of me wants to start Will, just because he’s a better rebounder, and I like having Dave come in to make shots. And to your question, offensively we shoot it better from three, obviously, with Dave in the starting lineup, without Jaylen in the starting lineup.