Basketball edition looking back on the 2019 season

The 2019 basketball season marked a new era as the team chose Mick Cronin as their next coach. He came over from Cincinnati where he had a good track record for the regular season where he went 296-147 over 13 seasons. But only had one Sweet 16 appearance to show for it. He was seen as a coach who would preach defense in the team again. Cronin is also a good evaluator that surrounds himself with good staff. The type of staff that can recruit well and find overseas talent as well.

The team would go 19-12 on the season. Although their offensive numbers would slip, their defense would get much better. As they only gave up 67.1 points per game on the season. The team was very young and included many players that would become integral parts of their 2021 First Four to Final Four run. They had balanced scoring across the roster with eight guys averaging at least five points per game. Led by Chris Smith who averaged 13.1 points per game on the year.

Freshman Tyger Campbell became a steady presence at the point guard position. Being a guy who could defend and played smart basketball. Finding guys open on offense and not turning the ball over much. As he had close to a 3/1 assist to turnover ratio. Jaime Jaquez Jr. also established himself as a starter later in the season. Both players would go on to have great UCLA careers. Building a strong core and chemistry together that would lead to an epic sophomore season.

Unfortunately, the season would end due to the COVID pandemic. But UCLA would gain momentum later in the season as they went on a seven-game win streak. They were 50/50 borderline to make the March Madness tournament. But a good showing in the Pac-12 tournament would’ve most likely got them in. As the seven game win streak and winning 9 of 10 games was big time. Which included three top 25 wins on against Colorado twice and Arizona. But it would set up for an epic 2020 season.