UCLA men’s basketball’s (23-11, 13-7 Big Ten) season came to an end after falling 67-58 to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The Bruins have officially entered the transfer portal season and the door into Westwood is swinging both ways. Assistant Sports editor Connor Dullinger gives his five main takeaways from the Bruins’ 2024-2025 season and predictions for what the future holds.

Offensive stagnation

Under the tutelage of coach Mick Cronin, the Bruins have always been defensively staunch.

This past year was no different as the team sat 15th in the nation in the KenPom defensive ratings alongside a No. 22 ranking in scoring defense.

But while their defense has stymied explosive attacks, the Bruins’ offense has hindered the squad from reaching the upper echelon of college basketball programs – finishing the 2024-2025 campaign 84th in field goal percentage at 46.4% and 104th in 3-point percentage at 35.2%.

UCLA shot below 40% from the field in six contests this season – losing fives games in that stretch. On top of their troubles inside the arc, the Bruins shot below 30% from beyond the arc in nine contests this season.

Matters were made worse with UCLA’s proficiency from the charity stripe. The squad ranked 226th in the nation in free throw percentage at 71%. The Bruins shot below 70% from the line in 11 games this season – most notably against North Carolina and Minnesota, which saw the team miss at least eight second-half free throws.

A revamped roster featuring six transfers and three freshmen – both cohorts adjusting to the bright lights of Pauley Pavilion – could explain the squad’s inconsistency, but the more likely explanation is that the Bruins are simply streaky shooters.

UCLA will have to establish a more consistent arsenal if it wants to progress past the Sweet 16 – an accomplishment it hasn’t earned since the 2020-2021 season.

The core four

Former guards Dylan Andrews and Sebastian Mack, forwards Devin Williams and William Kyle III and center Aday Mara each announced their departure from Westwood in the last eight days.

[Related: UCLA men’s basketball guard Dylan Andrews enters transfer portal]

Even still, the Bruins will keep four of their most impactful players.

The list includes three of UCLA’s top four scorers this season: junior guard Skyy Clark, junior forward Tyler Bilodeau and sophomore guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. Clark solidified himself as one of the most seasoned point guards in the NCAA and is set to take the mantle of one of the two starting backcourt spots next season.

Not only does Clark serve as a leader on and off the hardwood, but he also leads the squad on the court – garnering a combined 32 points in the Bruins’ two March Madness games this season. The Los Angeles local also served as a defensive stalwart, known for taking on opposing team’s most threatening scorers.

Bilodeau led the Bruins in scoring production and was second on the team in rebounds per game with 13.5 and 4.6, respectively, and he should continue to serve as the team’s starting power forward next year. If paired with a dominant center, Bilodeau can focus on offensive efficiency without guarding a more imposing and taller opponent.

Rounding out the quartet is freshman guard and former McDonald’s All-American Trent Perry, who will likely assume the third starting guard spot and could see increased minutes with Andrews and Mack out of the picture. Perry averaged just 3.7 points per game and played only 11.4 minutes per contest but has tremendous potential.

Donovan Dent

Cronin may have secured the best recruit of his career with junior guard Donovan Dent.

The 2024-2025 Mountain West Player of the Year averaged 20.4 points per game and 6.4 assists per game last season alongside 49%/40.9%/78.4% shooting splits on the year with New Mexico.

[Related: Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent commits to UCLA men’s basketball]

Dent will most likely serve in the other starting backcourt spot next to Clark, filling a void that could more than replace Andrews’ and Mack’s production and minutes. Dent will presumably soar to become the team’s best 3-point shooter while also spacing the floor and leading the transition with his masterful blend of speed and agility.

UCLA spotted Dent’s talent out of high school but was limited by the early deal the team had made with Andrews. Then-Lobos coach Richard Pitino reaped Dent’s benefits instead, and when the teams matched up this past season, Dent dropped 17 points and eight assists in his team’s victory.

Dent – reported as the best transfer in this year’s portal – will immediately upgrade the Bruins’ backcourt and could easily become one of the most dangerous players in the Big Ten.

Open spots a’plenty

Even with Dent’s arrival and the Bruins’ core returning, multiple voids remain in the team’s lineup.

Alongside the portal entrants, senior guards Kobe Johnson and Lazar Stefanovic will graduate, leaving multiple open scholarship spots.

And with more than 1,000 players in the portal – many of which are from Power Five or NCAA-caliber programs – the Bruins will have plenty of options to fill their vacancies.

The Bruins’ most logical necessity is a veteran guard to fill the fourth backcourt spot on the team. Freshman and former four-star recruit Eric Freeny – who redshirted this season – has potential to fill that gap and could see increased minutes next season.

UCLA also needs at least another pair of wings to sit behind Dailey on the depth chart and provide a defensive spark or 3-point shooting options off the bench. As Dailey serves as a versatile offensive threat but is primarily a head-down, drive-to-the-hoop player, a proficient understudy could be key for the position group.

And with Mara’s unprecedented exit Monday night, the Bruins desperately need two centers to fill the five. Bilodeau is the tallest player on the roster at 6-foot-9 and needs to be the Bruins’ four. Dominant 25-plus point performances from conference opponents in Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and Michigan center Vladislav Goldin proved the need for added height in the paint.

[Related: Bye Aday: Men’s basketball centerpiece Mara reportedly not returning to program]

As March Madness comes to an end in six days, the transfer portal will only get more hectic as teams scramble to get the cream-of-the-crop, and UCLA will be one of the many suitors.

Program turnaround

There was no doubt that the Bruins felt the pains of a roster overhaul after the departure of former Bruins Amari Bailey, Johnny Juzang, Tyger Campbell, Jules Bernard, Jaylen Clark and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the last two seasons.

The effects manifested itself last season, resulting in a 16-17 record, second round defeat in the Pac-12 tournament and a March Madness absence.

With hopes dimmed, it seemed like an almost impossible task to turn the program around. But, in what seemed like a magic trick, Cronin brought in six transfers that made up three of four top spots in scoring.

The influx of players transformed UCLA’s woes into a 23-11 record, a four seed in the Big Ten tournament and a Round of 32 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Last March, Cronin seemed at least a couple years from returning to the Big Dance. And even then, some Bruin fans felt the team underperformed to their talent.

But with the return of four difference makers alongside the entrance of one of the top players in the country, there are no limits to what the Bruins can be next season.