The Bruins have a lot of players on their roster who are capable of a major breakout season.
One player who has flown under the radar this offseason and could be astronomically important for this UCLA team is returner Eric Dailey Jr.
Dailey Jr. Could Have His Breakout Season
Dailey was one of the most solid pieces last season for Mick Cronin and the Bruins, averaging 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He's a versatile stretch big who can shoot and play in multiple positions on the floor.
This roster seems to be flexible at just about every position, as the Bruins have multiple players who can play in various roles. Dailey will be the starting power forward, no doubt, but with a smaller roster this season, his role could be interesting.
Dailey Jr. has a full skill set that will complement almost any lineup Mick Cronin and Co. can throw out on the floor. He can space the floor and shoot well, and there is a legitimate chance he could lead this team in scoring.
Why This Season Could Be Special
There is one piece of evidence against why we could see Dailey Jr. take that next step. Last season, Dailey was already productive, and the season before last, he had essentially the same stats with little to no growth in production.
The difference between this year and the rest is the complementary pieces around him. He doesn't have the pressure to deliver as a scorer because of the supporting cast around him, and that freedom could benefit him and the team greatly.
If Xavier Booker needs to operate in and around the paint, Dailey can space the floor. If UCLA wants to play smaller, which it seems they'll have to, Dailey can provide versatility without giving up any offensive ability. Dailey can create mismatches on the floor, and I believe we could see him take the next step this season in terms of defense and all-around scoring.
UCLA has plenty of players who could put up big numbers this season. When I think about who could lead this team in scoring, I believe there are legitimate cases for three or four different players.
This team will be fun to watch this season, and if Eric Dailey Jr. can take a step forward as a senior, he could become one of the most important pieces for this UCLA roster.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/ucla as Breaking Down UCLA's Potentially Underrated Breakout Candidate.