Cronin Praises Bench, Dent’s Performance After UCLA’s Road Win Over USC

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – UCLA men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin lauded his team’s bench and the stellar performance of guard Donovan Dent following the Bruins’ 89-68 victory over rival USC at Galen Center on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The win secured a double bye for UCLA in the upcoming Sizeable Ten tournament.

Bench Play Key to Victory

Cronin emphasized the significant contribution of the UCLA bench to the team’s success. “I thought our bench was the big key today,” he stated. He highlighted the strategic advantage of utilizing Tyler Bilodeau at the five position in certain matchups, creating mismatches with Eric Dailey Jr. “It too gives Eric Dailey a lot of mismatches. You get a taller guy on him, and his one-on-one ability can take over,” Cronin explained. He also noted the importance of having his best five players on the court, with the return of Skyy Clark adding to the team’s depth.

Bilodeau’s Shooting Prowess

The coach praised Tyler Bilodeau’s 16-point first half, acknowledging his scoring ability. “Tyler can shoot, man. Tyler’s going to get the chance to play in the NBA. He’s one of the best shooters in the country when he gets his feet set,” Cronin said.

Dent Takes Over in Second Half

Donovan Dent’s dominant second-half performance was another focal point of Cronin’s postgame comments. “He took over in the second half. The whole second half he took over,” Cronin noted. He credited Dent’s ability to exploit the high pick and roll and his effectiveness driving to the basket. “If he can get in the lane, he’s as good as there is in college basketball.”

Offensive Efficiency

Cronin expressed satisfaction with the team’s offensive performance throughout the season. “Our offense, other than a couple of games, has been great all year,” he said. He pointed out that UCLA’s points per possession metric is the highest of any team he’s coached in his 23-year career. However, he stressed the continued importance of defensive effort.

Player Buy-In and Team Chemistry

Cronin acknowledged a recent increase in player buy-in, particularly in the wins against Nebraska and USC. He also emphasized the importance of having players who are “good guys,” stating, “We have great guys. I have to make myself yell at some of these guys because they’re such good guys, and I did that by design.” He values players who are easy to coach and avoids conflicts, believing it’s crucial for sustained success.

Revenue Share Comments and Road Win Importance

Cronin briefly addressed his prior comments regarding revenue sharing, noting that some coaches now owe him dinner after his predictions came to fruition. He also underscored the significance of securing a win on the road, emphasizing the importance of defensive effort in holding USC under 70 points.

Rebounding Effort

The coach highlighted the team’s rebounding performance, a rare positive statistic for the Bruins. “There’s a first for everything! We were plus-10 or 11 on the glass. It’s nice,” Cronin said, attributing the success to effort and positioning.

Looking Ahead to Tournaments

Cronin expressed optimism about the team’s potential if they maintain their defensive intensity. “We can keep winning games, because we can score,” he stated, adding that many strong teams will be competing in the Big Ten tournament in Chicago.

Player Perspectives

Donovan Dent emphasized the trust from his coach and teammates, as well as the team’s shooting ability, which makes his job easier. He also noted a recent shift towards a stronger defensive mindset.

Eric Freeny attributed his recent success to hard perform in practice and a focus on preparing for March Madness. He stressed the importance of maintaining momentum by continuing to win.

Tyler Bilodeau highlighted the team’s character and ability to stay together during the game, emphasizing the importance of defense alongside offensive contributions.