New everything for UCLA

How’d you spend your NFL opening weekend? I’m guessing Dan Hurley topped it … at least before kickoff.

Let's get to some college hoops news.

1. UCLA’s new reality: Big Ten and revamped NIL

Here’s a phrase that’ll take some getting used to: Big Ten title contender UCLA.

Not that it’s strange to think of the Bruins as a contender. Mick Cronin’s won plenty at UCLA and should have a Top 25-worthy squad again this season. I’m just bumping on the Big Ten. Anyway, let’s move on. Because there’s plenty to discuss.

John Fanta and Rob Dauster both gave Cronin high grades for their offseason work. They love the returning backcourt of junior Dylan Andrews (12.9 ppg, 3.7 apg) and Sebastian Mack (12.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg), and think it could be among the best in the country. (Cronin also likes what he see with Andrews.)

Also important? There’s significant depth with terrific wings/forwards in transfers Eric Dailey (Oklahoma State), Kobe Johnson (USC), Tyler Bilodeau (Oregon State) and William Kyle (South Dakota State), plus a flyer on Louisville guard Skyy Clark. There’s also incoming freshman Trent Parry, a 4-star prospect who’ll compete for minutes at guard.

Know what? Just have a listen. It’ll take 18 minutes.

It’s not a roster overflowing with future NBA players, but certainly an upgrade over what Cronin has last season. Then, the Bruins went heavy on international players and freshmen (seven in all) out of necessity. The NIL wasn’t good enough.

Now, after a year in which Cronin let his boosters know about his NIL displeasure, UCLA’s roster is more befitting that of a would-be league contender. The six transfers and two freshmen? That’s more to his liking.

“It took us a year longer than I would have liked to get things where they needed to be and without naming names, there were obviously some people who really carried the weight,” Cronin told the LA Times earlier this summer. “But there’s also grassroots level, so there’s literally people out there who are donating $10 a month, but we’re talking about people who don’t have that to give; their $10 a month is maybe hurting their pocketbook as much as somebody who gave $100,000.

“So basically the whole system now is relying on passion and love for the program and probably somewhat belief in the coaching staff, so for that it’s a huge thing to me for people who are supporting the program.”

Those supporters will see a versatile team — Cronin says UCLA can play small with the 6-9 Bilodeau at center — and “wear people out” if needed because of the depth.

I’m sure the increased depth will come in handy with the added cross-country travel and a schedule that includes non-conference matchups against Arizona, Gonzaga and North Carolina.

And who knows? By the time Big Ten play rolls around, maybe “UCLA” and “Big Ten” won’t feel as strange.

2. Oklahoma St.’s new shooting star + more recruit news

Steve Lutz’s teams play fast (Western Kentucky led D-I in 75 possessions a game last season), but they’ve never been an exceptional shooting team. It’s more about volume.

His first 2025 recruit should help alleviate that.

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