UCLA head coach Mick Cronin expressed his displeasure following the Bruins’ 94-75 loss to No. 24 Michigan on Tuesday evening.
UCLA overcame a double-digit halftime deficit and rallied to take a quick second-half lead earlier than blowing the benefit. After main 61-60 with 10:30 remaining, Michigan went on a 33-15 run to shut out the sport.
Whereas Cronin stated his crew wanted Tuesday’s “humble pie,” he additionally known as his crew out following its third loss within the final 4 video games.
“Clearly, they shot the ball nicely,” Cronin stated. “However we’re comfortable. We’re too comfortable to play exhausting sufficient. Even within the [crucial moments], you may’t get a rebound. …So do not inform me you need to win. Simply do not let you know need to win. I imply, we’re comfortable.
“I’ve to run on the court docket to get guys to play exhausting,” he stated. “It is loopy. And it is every single day. I am bored with it. It is every single day. I’ve probably the most vitality of anyone at follow every single day. I am upset with everyone in that locker room: my assistant coaches and my gamers.
“It is actually exhausting to teach folks which might be delusional. The hungry canine will get the bone. We have got guys that assume they’re manner higher than they’re. They’re good children. They’re fully delusional about who they’re.”
Coming into the sport, UCLA ranked fifth within the nation in adjusted defensive effectivity per KenPom. On Tuesday evening, the Bruins gave up a season-high 94 factors and allowed Michigan to shoot 61.5% from the ground and make 53.6% from lengthy vary. In distinction, UCLA was a horrendous 2-for-20 (10%) from deep.
Cronin had some robust remarks concerning the discrepancy in three-point taking pictures.
“I feel it is fairly clear we’re not successful a three-point taking pictures contest with Michigan,” Cronin said, per Alejandro Zuniga of 247Sports. “I imply, if it is a sport of horse, they bought guys 5 toes behind the road not lacking. We have got guys 2-for-20. However I simply query our toughness. I do not query it. The fact is the truth.”
Whereas Cronin’s outburst was nothing new in his teaching profession, final evening appeared extra excessive than standard, particularly contemplating UCLA is barely 4 video games into convention play and owns a pair of ranked wins over then-No. 12 Oregon and previously-No. 14 Gonzaga.
Other than an early season setback to New Mexico, UCLA began the season 10-1, together with a 73-71 highway win over the Geese on Dec. 8. Since then, the Bruins blew a double-digit second half result in North Carolina within the CBS Sports activities Traditional and have dropped back-to-back Massive Ten video games to Nebraska and the Wolverines.
As a part of the new-look Massive Ten, UCLA (11-4, 2-2 Massive Ten) will journey 2,700 miles east to tackle Maryland (11-4, 1-3) on Friday earlier than going through Rutgers (8-7, 1-3) on Monday.
The upcoming stretch for the Bruins is essential, given they aren’t scheduled to face one other ranked opponent till a rematch with No. 15 Oregon on Jan. 30.
After expressing his accomplishments and downplaying his crew, it’s honest to query the place belief and assist lie inside the program and its head coach. How the crew responds following one other setback may set the tone for the rest of the season.
