Did the UCLA Bruins do enough adding in the transfer portal?

We’ll see if Mick Cronin has any tricks up his sleeve in the waning moments of the transfer portal opening, but it’s looking like an underwhelming portal season for the UCLA Bruins. UCLA missed out on Matt Able and John Blackwell on Tuesday, giving the Bruins two fewer options to target in the final moments of the portal opening.

The Bruins lost their best two offensive weapons

UCLA graduated their two top scorers from this year’s team, which will cause the Bruins offense to look substantially different in the 2026-2027 season. Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent combined to average 30.9 points per game and it’s not clear where Cronin is going to replenish that scoring.

UCLA made moves but not for stars

Barring any last-minute moves from UCLA, the four additions the Bruins made in the portal are Jaylen Petty, Sergej Macura, Filip Jovic and Azavier Robinson. Those four players combined to average 27.3 points per game, with no individual player averaging double-figures.

USC hasn't had a problem enticing talent

Those numbers are likely to increase with a larger role but it doesn’t inspire too much hope for next season. Across town, USC just wrapped up having the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation and even though the Bruins have had success against the Trojans in recent years, that’s no guarantee to continue.

A change in transfer portal mindset

This year’s portal strategy could be an adjustment from Cronin and company. Last year, the Bruins spent big on Dent and didn’t lead to a deep NCAA tournament run but there were moments throughout the season where UCLA looked competitive with the top teams in the country.

Perhaps a last second move for UCLA?