Mick Cronin dissects the keys to better defense at UCLA in 2026-27

Jon Rothstein sits down with UCLA head coach Mick Cronin ahead of the 2026-27 season. Mick breaks down his approach to retaining players, the additions he made in the offseason, Nikola Kusturica and plenty more. (0:00) Intro + Mick Cronin joins the show(0:30) Vacation spots, children in college & living in LA(4:50) Coaching a below-average Mick Cronin defense last year(8:00) How will Mick look back at last season after losing Tyler Bilodeau before the tournament?(10:05) Helping Tyler through his injury at the end of his career(12:00) Why is Mick so good at retention? (17:00) Putting together a great team this season(24:00) Does this year’s team remind Mick of early UCLA or Cincinnati teams?(27:00) Which returner makes the biggest jump?(29:00) The importance of retention + adding talent(33:30) Nikola Kusturica expectations (38:00) Giving specific goals to players(42:45) Biggest keys to being a great team in 2026-27🎥 WATCH• Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB • Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live• Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider🎧 LISTEN• Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18• Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867 📱FOLLOW • Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein📖 READ• More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ 🛍️SUPPORT• Shop our merch: https://www.paramountshop.com/collections/eye-on-college-basketball 🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOWWe're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.