Mick Cronin: 'I don't see anybody picking us for the Final Four'

In response to a question about his lineup, Mick Cronin reminded us that no one is that high on UCLA.

Cronin answered a question during his media availability yesterday about the return of Tyler Bilodeau and how that would affect the overall depth of the Bruins. With that, though, he said it’s not as if they’re too talented of a team considering where they’re all projected both individually and as an overall roster.

“Well, no, I wouldn’t say that,” said Cronin. “Maybe the Boston Celtics got too many good players. I don’t see that we have anybody on the draft lottery board. I love my guys. They’re great. I know what you’re getting at, okay, but I don’t see anybody picking us for the Final Four.”

It’s a fair enough take on his own team by Cronin considering where they currently stand this season.

UCLA (15-6, 6-4) is having a good season as they were in the top 25 back in December, including being as high as No. 15 to end the year. However, a skid of five losses in six games followed by a four-game win streak has had them fluctuating through the month of January.

Now, the Bruins are back in better positions in fields for the NCAA Tournament. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had them as a No. 7 seed in his latest field this week while On3’s James Fletcher has them trending back upward at No. 33 overall in his bracket. The Bruins also sit at 33rd in overall in the NET.

If they can get in the tournament, though, UCLA has been a team that has advanced under Cronin. In three berths, the Bruins have a pair of finishes in the Sweet 16 and one appearance in the Final Four with a halfcourt buzzer-beater being the difference in them making the national title game after starting in the First Four back in 2021.

UCLA can be a team that can win games in the NCAA Tournament in March. Cronin just doesn’t want anyone ahead of themselves considering the opinion of them right now heading into February.

Cronin credits players for turnaround, warns about complacency

UCLA has answered a four-game losing streak and a stretch of five losses in six games with a four-game win streak of their own.

Following the latest one on Monday in an 82-76 victory over USC, Mick Cronin gave credit to the Bruins for figuring it out. If nothing else, they’re playing harder and, as such, are back to earning the results they want.

“Look, guys. I can want to win all I want, okay. The hungry dog gets the bone, okay. The hungry dog gets the bone,” said Cronin. “Kids are fighting their hearts out to win games and that’s what wins games. That’s, you know – performance and toughness. So you got to give them all the credit. You just got to keep digging in, keep pounding nails.

“Don’t spread your wings because peacock today, feather duster tomorrow,” said Cronin.