In Reply to: Michigan State HC Tom Izzo’s ‘tearful’ response after Xavier Book posted by mh on October 10, 2025 at 09:39:21
This weekend in Westwood is a perfect snapshot of Mick Cronin’s recruiting playbook in action. The Bruins are hosting a crucial official visitor while simultaneously laying the groundwork with a developmental piece, all as another intriguing project lines up a fall visit. This is the full-cycle approach.
The Big One: Christian Collins
All eyes are on five-star forward Christian Collins, who is on campus for his official visit this Saturday. This is the recruitment I flagged back in May as the new priority for the staff, and he remains the single biggest piece for UCLA to salvage its 2026 SoCal pipeline. Collins isn’t just a highly-ranked kid; he’s a local with deep roots and the kind of innate pedigree—being the son of SoCal hoops name DeAngelo Collins—that you can’t ignore. This is Cronin’s chance to make a definitive statement and secure a cornerstone commitment. Beating out Kentucky and Tennessee won’t be easy, but a successful visit this weekend puts UCLA in the driver’s seat.
The Developmental Track: Morillo, Floyd, and the Feldman Connection
While Collins is the headline, the visit from Lucas Morillo is a key part of the long-term strategy. The four-star wing from Massachusetts has the size and skill profile the staff targets for development. His recruitment, along with the recent scheduling of a November visit from Javonte Floyd, points to a specific type of player identification.
This is where I see the influence of Max Feldman. While I can’t say for certain, the profiles of both Morillo and Floyd fit the mold of players Feldman has built relationships with and identified early. These are the kinds of under-the-radar, high-upside moves that strengthen a roster down the line.
Speaking of Floyd, his upcoming official visit is a classic Cronin move. The 6’10” center is a raw but physically gifted big man, exactly the type of project this staff loves. He’s a true developmental five—a canvas for the coaches to work with. This directly aligns with the scuttlebutt I heard back in April about the staff kicking the tires on a JuCo center. The philosophy is the same: it’s not about finding a star, but about securing a dedicated, athletic body for practice, depth, and long-term development. Iron sharpens iron, and Floyd is the kind of raw talent that fits that blueprint perfectly.
Coffee Is For Closers
This weekend is about executing a multi-tiered plan. The Bruins are pushing to land their #1 priority in Christian Collins, while building the foundation with Lucas Morillo. The scheduled visit for Javonte Floyd confirms the staff’s commitment to the developmental path—a strategy that includes identifying projects with high ceilings, a process that seems to be a strength of the personnel they’ve brought in.