UCLA’s first exhibition game is almost here, and Wednesday’s matchup with California Baptist should offer an early look at how Mick Cronin wants this new roster to function.
The Bruins will face the Lancers on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in what will be their first public action of Cronin’s eighth year in charge. It’s still an exhibition, and substitutions won’t tell the whole story, but the game should still reveal a few things about where this team stands before the season begins.
One of the clearest questions involves the bench. All offseason, different UCLA players have been floated as candidates to be the first man in off the pine, and Wednesday should give at least a decent read on who Cronin trusts most in that role. The exhibition rotation may not match the regular season exactly, but it should point toward who the Bruins’ sixth man is likely to be.
A good bet, at least on paper, is Auburn transfer Filip Jovic. He appears to have the kind of versatility and scoring touch that could make him the first player off the bench and, in effect, an unofficial sixth starter behind Xavier Booker.
The other big question is simpler: who is going to run this offense?
There are several options in the starting group. Eric Dailey Jr. brings stability in the frontcourt and the ability to score from just about anywhere, with enough flexibility to work inside and stretch out as a shooter on the perimeter. Jaylen Petty was added to provide offense, and he can knock down threes while also attacking downhill and creating his own shots.
Still, the cleanest answer might be Nikola Kusturica. He looks like the best player on the floor and has the tools to be the top option on both ends, with scoring ability at every level and in every phase of the game.
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