UPDATE: The UCLA Bruins clinched a 74-63 victory over the Oregon Ducks Saturday, but not without a struggle from star guard Donovan Dent. In a game marked by contrasting shooting performances, the Bruins showcased a hot first half but faltered in the second, raising questions about Dent’s current form.
UCLA dominated early, hitting 15 of 27 shots (55.6%) in the first half, only to plummet to 9 of 28 (32.1%) after the break. Despite this offensive stall, Head Coach Mick Cronin expressed relief, stating, “Awful, awful shooting. And we still were able to win by 11. Gotta be happy with that.”
Dent, who transferred to UCLA from New Mexico as one of the most sought-after players, struggled significantly. He finished the game with just 4 points on 4 of 14 shooting and failed to make a three-pointer. Cronin, however, praised Dent’s effort on defense against Oregon standout Jackson Shelstad, who scored 20 points. “He’s hard on himself,” Cronin noted. “He’s too hard on himself about whether the ball goes in or not.”
This season, Dent has averaged only 12 points per game, a stark drop from his previous season’s 20.4 points per game with New Mexico, where he earned honorable mention All-America honors. His shooting percentage has dipped to 36.2% overall and a mere 7.7% from beyond the arc. The pressure is palpable for the 6-foot-2 guard, who arrived at UCLA with high expectations and a $3 million name, image, and likeness deal.
Cronin is acutely aware that the Bruins need Dent to regain his scoring touch if they are to contend in the NCAA tournament. “We all know he’s going to have monster nights,” he said, emphasizing that Dent’s ability to contribute offensively is critical. With the Bruins currently at 7-2 and 2-0 in the Big Ten, the pressure mounts as they aim for a successful season.
Teammates are rallying around Dent, with junior Eric Dailey Jr. encouraging him after misses. “Keep your head up. You’re gonna miss shots, you’re gonna make shots. It don’t matter,” Dailey reminded him, highlighting the need for Dent to continue shooting despite the setbacks.
As the Bruins look ahead, the focus remains on Dent’s ability to bounce back and become the offensive leader they need. Cronin’s message is clear: “You don’t have to prove anything… Just worry about your team, worry about making your team better.”
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as UCLA prepares for their next matchup, hoping to see Dent reclaim his scoring prowess and lead the Bruins deeper into the season.
