Eric Dailey Jr. may not be the first name that jumps out when people talk about UCLA’s upside this season, but he has a real chance to be one of the most important pieces on the roster.
That’s partly because of what he already brought to the Bruins last year. Dailey averaged 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game for Mick Cronin’s team, and he did it as a versatile stretch big who can shoot and handle different spots on the floor. He was one of the steadier players on the roster, and that foundation gives him a clear path to a bigger role.
The setup around him matters too. UCLA looks flexible almost everywhere, but this group is also working with a smaller roster, which could make Dailey’s role even more interesting.
He is the starting power forward, and there’s no doubt about that. What comes next is how often Cronin and Co. lean on his full skill set in different lineups.
Dailey has the kind of game that fits almost anything UCLA wants to do. He can space the floor, knock down shots and create problems for defenses in ways that don’t always show up in a simple box score.
If Xavier Booker is working in and around the paint, Dailey can open things up from the outside. If UCLA goes smaller, Dailey still gives them versatility without sacrificing much on offense.
There is, though, a reason to be cautious about expecting a huge leap. Dailey was already productive a year ago, and the season before that he posted basically the same numbers without much growth. So the breakout case is not built on raw production alone.
What changes now is the supporting cast. With more pieces around him, Dailey may not have to carry as much of the scoring load, and that could actually unlock more from him. Less pressure can mean more freedom, and that freedom could help both him and UCLA.
That’s why his name keeps coming up as a possible breakout candidate. He can create mismatches, and there’s a legitimate chance he leads the Bruins in scoring. There are also enough other options on this roster that UCLA could see three or four different players make a case to pace the team in points.
However it shakes out, Dailey looks positioned to matter a lot. If he takes a step forward as a senior, he could become one of the defining pieces of this UCLA team.
In Other News...
UCLA May Need Aidan Mizell More Than Ever Against Oregon
Aidan Mizells first reception of the season turned into a play UCLA could not ignore, with the receiver taking an 83-yard catch against Maryland and flashing the kind of speed the Bruins have been waiting to see. It was a reminder that even after being limited by injuries early in the year, Mizell still has the ability to change a game in one snap and give UCLA another layer in the passing attack.
The timing matters now, with Oregon looming and the Bruins looking for every available spark on offense. UCLA is expected to use the bye week to help Mizell recover, and his availability could become a real factor if he can stay healthy and get more involved in the game plan. For a team that needs playmakers to step forward, his return to full strength would be a welcome development. [Read more 🡒]
USC Still Has A Hand In Oregons Biggest QB Question
Oregons quarterback situation is still tied to the aftermath of its game against USC, with Dante Moore working back from a concussion and needing to clear NCAA-mandated testing before he can return. Dan Lanning has stressed that the Ducks are taking an abundance of caution, and there is no firm timetable for when Moore will be available again.
In the meantime, Dylan Raiola stepped in for Moore and helped Oregon to a recent victory, keeping the offense moving while the Ducks wait on their starters status. For a program with bigger goals ahead, the health of the quarterback room remains the central issue, and USC still looms over the answer. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Petty Could Decide How Dangerous UCLA's Backcourt Becomes
Jaylen Petty is one of the new faces drawing the most attention in UCLAs backcourt, and for good reason. The Texas Tech transfer is expected to settle in as the Bruins shooting guard and give them a true perimeter threat, something every offense needs when the pace tightens and the half-court possessions start to matter. He arrives with a freshman season at Texas Tech that showed he can handle a real workload, and observers around the program have already taken notice of how naturally the shot comes off his hand.
What makes Petty such an interesting piece is how much his fit could change the shape of UCLAs guards. CBS College Basketball insider Jon Rothstein has pointed to Pettys shooting in practice, and if that carries over once the games count, the Bruins may have a backcourt weapon that forces defenses to stay honest. For a team looking to stretch the floor and create cleaner looks, Pettys role could wind up being more important than just adding another scorer to the rotation. [Read more 🡒]