UCLA Bruins NCAA Basketball Betting
It was a drama-filled rebuild year for UCLA in 2023-24, with Mick Cronin making national headlines a couple of times for his post-game remarks. The Bruins went 16-17 on the year, coming off the back of three straight second-weekend trips in 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.
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 and becoming 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. Mack, like Andrews, is a non-threat from outside the arc, but was still a promising scorer as a freshman and showed 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.
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Sharpshooting Lazar Stefanovic (12 ppg, 6 rpg) continues the list of returners for the Bruins. Stefanovic transferred in last offseason from Utah and was the Bruins’ most consistent player and one of the few veterans on the roster last season. With how our projected lineup shook out, we have Stefanovic coming off the bench, but there is definitely a high possibility he will start for the Bruins. 7-3 center Aday Mara (4 ppg) wasn’t a huge factor for the Bruins as a freshman, but we have hope that with a full year of college basketball now under his belt, he can start to develop into an important frontcourt player for UCLA. Sophomores Brandon Williams (3 ppg) and Devin Williams (1 ppg) are the final returners, two more returners from last year’s large freshman class. Six players left the UCLA basketball program this offseason, only as important as forward Adem Bona (12 ppg, 6 rpg), who 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). 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, highlighted by 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, excelling with his length on the defensive end. The addition of Johnson on the wing for the Bruins can’t be understated, and 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. The talent is definitely there, something that has been known for a handful of years now.
Adding Clark into the Bruins’ backcourt gives another option as a primary ball handler and scorer, and he won’t have as much pressure on himself playing alongside Andrews and Mack. Dominick Harris (14 ppg at LMU) was an extremely efficient three-level scorer at LMU last season and would be another important piece for the Bruins’ backcourt, but he isn’t yet listed on the Bruins’ official roster at the time of this preview. Harris committed to UCLA earlier this offseason, but rumors are floating that he hasn’t yet been admitted into the school.
UCLA’s frontcourt got its trio of additions this offseason, and all three players should have sizable roles for Mick Cronin. UCLA remains a brand based on events from 50 years ago.
Latest NCAA Tournament Results
| YEAR |
RESULT |
| 2023 |
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (9) Gonzaga 76–79 |
| 2022 |
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (8) North Carolina, 66–73 |
| 2021 |
Lost Final Four vs. (1) Gonzaga, 90–93 (OT) |
| 2018 |
Lost First Four vs. (11) St. Bonaventure, 58–65 |
| 2017 |
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (5) Kentucky, 75–86 |
| 2015 |
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (7) Gonzaga, 62–74 |
| 2014 |
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (1) Florida, 68–79 |
2024-2025 NCAA Basketball Top Teams
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