The Bruins have deployed the same lineup in all four of their games barring two spot starts by senior guard Lazar Stefanovic.

But coach Mick Cronin isn’t pleased with his team’s ability to put points on the board.

“Offensively, I’m not sure,” Cronin said. “Nobody’s really shot the ball great.”

Facing yet another mid-major opponent, UCLA men’s basketball (3-1) will get another shot to find its form against Idaho State (2-3) on Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion. The third of a five-game homestand, the Bruins’ matchup against the Bengals will be their third-to-last tuneup before conference play commences – adding a time crunch to what may be Cronin’s biggest issue ahead of his team’s Big Ten debut.

“We don’t have a clear-cut leader,” Cronin said. “In this era, we’re trying to develop it on the fly.”

Cronin added that he hasn’t heard enough voice from his team captains – partly explained by junior guard Dylan Andrews’ absence due to a groin injury.

The coach has seen early defensive improvement though, citing strides in intensity and competitive spirit over the last week. While Cronin said the quality of the Bruins’ competition thus far makes the numbers hard to interpret, UCLA ranks second in the nation by defensive efficiency and fourth by scoring defense.

“There’s not many people playing defense at our level,” Cronin said.

Looking to the other side of the court, the Bengals have a trio of standouts this season in guard Dylan Darling, forward Isaiah Griffin and guard Jake O’Neil.

Darling may be amid a breakout campaign, averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists through four games this season after medically redshirting last year and being primarily used off the bench during his freshman campaign. On Nov. 7, the Washington State transfer dropped a career-high 22 points at the Galen Center against USC.

Griffin and O’Neil average 12.6 and 12.8 points per game, respectively. However, O’Neil’s journey might be more interesting.

The Fruitland, Idaho, local spent the previous four seasons at the College of Idaho – which competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics – where he won a national championship in 2023. Not only does O’Neil average more points than he did in the NAIA through four games in the NCAA, but he’s also posting 9.2 rebounds and one assist per game.

However, the Bruins aren’t without their own players making adjustments.

Competing for playing time against UCLA’s six new transfers – and the Bruins’ returners – is Trent Perry. The freshman guard has proven to be one of Cronin’s go-to options off the bench in the early goings, averaging 19.8 minutes per game.

Cronin and Perry both recognized the benefits of the team’s New Mexico loss Nov. 8 – it tempered the Bruins’ self-perception and reminded them how much they’ll need to improve before the going gets tough.

“We’ve got a lot of new guys and we’re still trying to figure each other out, but each day we’re just getting better,” Perry said.

Competing for minutes alongside Perry, junior forward William Kyle III is making the transition to a Power Four program after spending the previous two seasons with South Dakota State.

“It is a big jump from my last level,” Kyle said. “Game by game, I’m getting more comfortable, … trying not to think as much has been a big key. Just try to have fun every moment I’m out there.”

The reigning Summit League defensive player of the year, Kyle has averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists off the bench across four games this season.

Given the changes in roster and program construction due to the advent of name, image and likeness and the modern transfer portal, Cronin said his job has evolved enormously while in Westwood.

But the coach continues to embrace his new role.

“History’s taught us one thing is that times change,” Cronin said. “So you’ve got to be willing to change with the times.”