UCLA head coach Mick Cronin expressed his displeasure following the Bruins’ 94-75 loss to No. 24 Michigan on Tuesday night time.
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 mentioned his crew wanted Tuesday’s “humble pie,” he additionally referred to as his crew out following its third loss within the final 4 video games.
“Clearly, they shot the ball nicely,” Cronin mentioned. “However we’re gentle. We’re too gentle to play arduous sufficient. Even within the [crucial moments], you may’t get a rebound. …So do not inform me you need to win. Simply do not inform you need to win. I imply, we’re gentle.
“I’ve to run on the court docket to get guys to play arduous,” he mentioned. “It is loopy. And it is day-after-day. I am bored with it. It is day-after-day. I’ve essentially the most power of anyone at apply day-after-day. I am upset with all people in that locker room: my assistant coaches and my gamers.
“It is actually arduous to teach folks which might be delusional. The hungry canine will get the bone. We have got guys that suppose they’re approach higher than they’re. They’re good children. They’re utterly delusional about who they’re.”
Coming into the sport, UCLA ranked fifth within the nation in adjusted defensive effectivity per KenPom. On Tuesday night time, 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 believe 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 received guys 5 ft 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 night time appeared extra excessive than regular, particularly contemplating UCLA is simply 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 Basic and have dropped back-to-back Huge Ten video games to Nebraska and the Wolverines.
As a part of the new-look Huge Ten, UCLA (11-4, 2-2 Huge 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 help lie throughout the program and its head coach. How the crew responds following one other setback might set the tone for the rest of the season.
