UCLA’s Cronin calls Bruins ‘soft’ after awful loss

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Staff WriterJan 8, 2025, 10:09 AM ET Close Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

UCLA coach Mick Cronin called his group “soft” and ranted about his anger towards his players and coaches following his team’s 94-75 home loss to Michigan on Tuesday night.Following the game, Cronin openly berated his group and questioned its toughness.”Clearly, they shot the ball well,”Cronin stated.”However we’re soft. We’re too soft to play hard enough. Even in the [turning points], you can’t get a rebound. … So don’t tell me you wish to win. Just do not tell you wish to win. I imply, we’re soft. To be fair, they have a special ability. However we’re soft.”

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1 Associated The Bruins, a minus-1.5 favorite per ESPN BET, were down by double digits at halftime however made a go to take a short lead in the 2nd half before they misused that edge. The Bruins have actually lost three of their previous four games and have started their very first season in the Big Ten with a 2-2 record. Michigan made 71% of its shots inside the arc and 54% of its 3-point attempts against a UCLA squad ranked fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom.Cronin stated his

group needed Tuesday’s” humble pie “and included that he can’t be “the most difficult guy in the room every day.” In the weeks ahead, he stated he’ll only turn to the players who prove they can win.

“Here’s what you do: You play the guys that will play difficult and do what you tell them,” Cronin said. “But right now, I’m looking for some guys that’ll play hard enough to win a Huge Ten game. … It’s really hard to coach people that are delusional. The starving dog gets the bone. We’ve got guys that believe they’re way better than they are. They’re nice kids. They’re completely delusional about who they are.”

Cronin, nevertheless, did not book his aggravation for just the players. He likewise included that his personnel has work to do.

“I have to work on the court to get guys to play hard,” he stated. “It’s insane. And it’s every day. I’m tired of it. It’s every day. I have the most energy of anybody at practice every day. I’m upset with everyone because locker space: my assistant coaches and my players.”

The Bruins worked with Cronin in 2019 after his effective run at Cincinnati. The sixth-year coach has actually never ever been shy about expressing his emotions on the court. However Tuesday’s postgame press conference appeared severe even for Cronin. He stated his group does not have a leader that could hold the group liable. He referenced “The Wizard of Oz” and advised a few of his players “to go see the Wizard.”

On Friday, UCLA will begin a two-game cross-country trip when it travels 2,700 miles, across 3 time zones, to play at Maryland and after that Rutgers 3 days later on. Prior to the season, Cronin and Oregon’s Dana Altman said they hoped the brand-new travel demands of the Big 10 would not adversely affect their teams. Now Cronin will enter the very first long trip in conference action with a team that is struggling.Cronin, nevertheless, informed press reporters Tuesday that he has attained enough in his profession to this point.”I imply, I don’t need to do anything else,” he said.”I’ve nearly got 500 wins. I’m only 53. You ‘d think I’m coaching the Lakers. And it’s a joke. It’s a joke, but yet, I come in and I have more enthusiasm and energy and pride than everyone. Which’s the issue. That’s the fact right now.”