Word Around Westwood: A UCLA Bruins Podcast

In the latest edition of The Word Around Westwood Podcast, Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson discuss the biggest offseason storylines facing Mick Cronin and the UCLA men's basketball program. The show begins with UCLA's recruitment of Nikola Kusturica (0:00). The duo then pivots to discussing what a successful season will look like for Cronin (26:29) and continues with looking closer at the role...

In this edition of the Word Around Westwood, host Connor Morrissette begins the show speaking with Bruin247 writer Jack Savage about where things stand with UCLA football's 2027 recruiting class in the wake of the program's final official visit weekend. Who is still in play? What positions do UCLA need to prioritize moving forward? The duo answers those questions and many more. The show continues...

For the first time ever, the Word Around Westwood Podcast was live Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. PT. Host Connor Morrissette began the show speaking with Bruin247 writer Jack Savage about UCLA football's 2027 recruiting class and what to expect from the upcoming weekend's slate of official visitors. The duo also talked about what Connor saw from UCLA commits and targets at the OT7...

In the latest Word Around Westwood Podcast, Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage discuss UCLA football's latest official visit weekend, which featured key targets Brady Edmunds and Blake Wong as well as a number of committed prospects.

Mick Cronin struck out in the portal. Now the hunt is on overseas. KJ breaks down the European wing prospects UCLA fans need to know and a few names have his attention. He shares scouting notes from a loaded girls basketball showcase in Southern California and closes with a farewell to Doug Erickson, the man behind the scenes at UCLA basketball for 34 years.

Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage return to talk about a variety of UCLA topics including the men's basketball team missing on Tounde Yessoufou, the football program's official visit weekend and the UCLA baseball and softball teams continuing postseason play.

KJ breaks down Donovan Dent's retirement at 22, Cori Close's new contract and the WNBA clause, the fractured Compton Magic pipeline and what it's cost UCLA in recruiting, and a full recap of the portal cycle including the Fab Four additions and the star targets that got away.

In the latest Word Around Westwood Podcast, Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage discuss UCLA football's first official visit weekend. The duo also hits on Eli Woodard's de-commitment from USC and what that means for UCLA, Dane Weber vs. Brady Edmunds and how to approach recruiting quarterbacks. The show finishes with some thoughts on UCLA's record breaking baseball program.

KJ walks through this week's MBB coverage — Yessoufou's combine numbers and the 5-on-5 question, the Momcilovic sweepstakes, the JJ Sati-Grier offer, and five lineups Mick Cronin could run in 2026-27.

KJ breaks down a loaded week for UCLA women's basketball. Cori Close honored by the UC Regents with raise talks looming. ESPN's top-5 portal class — Aarnisalo, Hunter, Deas, Bransford, Brown, plus freshman Somto Okafor. Lineup questions at the four, spring workouts, and the Big Ten arms race in the post. Plus twelve Bruins in the WNBA as the league tips off tonight.

On this episode of Word Around Westwood, KJ breaks down UCLA's post portal roster headed into the summer. The transfer class, returning core, depth chart, and why this group will be a lot better than what the Bruin faithful think.

In the latest Word Around Westwood Podcast, Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage discuss UCLA football's ripping hot streak on the recruiting trail and how the Bruins positioned themselves for success. Jack gives his thoughts on all eight of the new UCLA commits, and then the duo finishes the show with some leftover thoughts from UCLA's spring camp and spring game. 

In the latest Word Around Westwood Podcast, Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage preview UCLA's spring game, discuss the state of the football program through 13 spring practices and hit on the new coaching staff's ability to recruit.

Mick Cronin lost his two top portal targets — Blackwell to Duke, Able to Carolina. Connor and KJ break down why the bag wasn't the issue, what actually went wrong, the staff and infrastructure gap looks like compared to other high majors, and where UCLA goes from here with the portal closing tonight and one name still on the board.

UCLA basketball is busy on both sides. On the men's side, the Bruins add forward Filip Jovic, forward Sergej Macura, and guard Jaylen Petty out of the transfer portal. On the women's side, guards Donovyn Hunter, Elina Aarnisalo, and Bonnie Deas are headed to Westwood. Plus, UCLA WBB sets a new record with 6 players selected in the WNBA Draft.

The Bruins are national champions. KJ and Connor break down UCLA women’s basketball’s historic 2026 NCAA National Championship, a dominant 79-51 dismantling of South Carolina that capped a 37-1 season for the ages. Lauren Betts was named Most Outstanding Player, and Gabriela Jaquez delivered one of the all-time championship game performances — 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists — becoming just t...

Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson break down UCLA's 51-44 win over Texas in the national semifinal. National championship Sunday vs South Carolina | Bruin247.com

Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson break down UCLA's Elite Eight win over Duke 70-58. Bruins are Final Four bound. Bruin247.com

Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson break down UCLA's Sweet 16 win over Minnesota, react to the Bruins punching their ticket to the Elite Eight, and dive into the men's transfer portal — Isaiah Johnson, Miles Byrd, Kyle Evans, and what Mick Cronin needs this offseason. Bruin247.com

Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson break down UCLA's second round win over Oklahoma State, preview the Sweet 16 matchup against Minnesota, and dive into the men's transfer portal — including why Jackson Shellstad should be the Bruins' top target. Bruin247.com

UCLA's tournament run is over. Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson break down the loss to UConn and look ahead — who stays, who goes, and what the offseason looks like for the Bruins.

Bruin247.com's Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson break down everything you need to know heading into UCLA's second round matchup with UConn. Does Bilodeau play? Can Booker handle Tarris Reed? What happens if Demary can't go for the Huskies? Keys for both teams. Bruin247.com

Bilodeau was out. Booker stepped in. He and Dailey combined for 35 points, 13 rebounds, 6 blocks. Dent went 4-17. Six steals. Zero turnovers. Five assists. Perry iced it at the foul line. Bruins advance. UConn is next. Tarris Reed just dropped 31 and 27 against Furman. Word Around Westwood — UCLA Bruins basketball. Bruin247.com

UCLA opens the NCAA Tournament against the UCF Knights and we went deep — film, data, and game plan all in one episode. We break down everything you need to know about UCF before Friday: who they are, how they try to beat you, and exactly how UCLA wins this game. On today's show: - The Jekyll and Hyde identity of UCF — which version shows up Friday? - Themus Fulks: why he goes left every single ti...

It's Selection Sunday. Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson break down where UCLA Men's and Women's Basketball land in the NCAA Tournament bracket — and what the path looks like from here. Word Around Westwood. Bruin247.com