MICK CRONIN’S HARSH COMMENTS SHOW THE RISK IN USING THE TRANSFER PORTAL
In the new era of college basketball, talent is too often prioritized over culture
Mick Cronin made headlines this week for his comments after UCLA’s 94-75 loss to Michigan. He criticized his players for being “soft” and “completely delusional about who they are,” suggesting the entire locker room has been apathetic. “I don’t need to do anything else. I almost got 500 wins. I’m only 53,” Cronin said. “You’d think I’m coaching the Lakers. It’s a joke. I come in and I have more passion and energy and pride than everybody in there. That’s the problem.”
This is the challenge that comes with using the transfer portal like UCLA did this offseason when it brought in six new players, including USC guard Kobe Johnson, Oklahoma State guard Eric Dailey Jr., Louisville guard Skyy Clark and Oregon State forward Tyler Bilodeau. If you change the dynamics of your locker room drastically and replace the guys who remained loyal to your program, you take a risk that the culture is going to suffer. That’s the coach’s decision, so it’s not fair to point fingers at the players when problems arise.