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 short 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 effectively,” Cronin mentioned. “However we’re tender. We’re too tender to play onerous sufficient. Even within the [crucial moments], you may’t get a rebound. …So do not inform me you wish to win. Simply do not inform you wish to win. I imply, we’re tender.
“I’ve to run on the courtroom to get guys to play onerous,” he mentioned. “It is loopy. And it is on daily basis. I am uninterested in it. It is on daily basis. I’ve probably the most vitality of anyone at observe on daily basis. I am upset with all people in that locker room: my assistant coaches and my gamers.
“It is actually onerous to educate individuals which can be delusional. The hungry canine will get the bone. We have guys that suppose they’re approach higher than they’re. They’re good youngsters. 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 believe it is fairly clear we’re not profitable a three-point taking pictures contest with Michigan,” Cronin mentioned, per Alejandro Zuniga of 247Sports. “I imply, if it is a recreation of horse, they acquired guys 5 toes behind the road not lacking. We have guys 2-for-20. However I simply query our toughness. I do not query it. The fact is the fact.”
Whereas Cronin’s outburst was nothing new in his teaching profession, final evening appeared extra excessive than standard, particularly contemplating UCLA is just 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 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 inside the program and its head coach. How the crew responds following one other setback might set the tone for the rest of the season.
