LOS ANGELES – Following the 22nd-ranked Bruins’ recent slide, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin expressed his frustration towards the team’s performance, highlighting a lack of effort and resilience as critical issues.

Initially, UCLA had a strong start to the season, winning 10 of their first 11 matches and beginning Big Ten play with two victories. However, they have now succumbed to two consecutive defeats, including a 94-75 setback at home against No. 24 Michigan on Tuesday night and a 66-58 loss at Nebraska the previous Saturday.

“I have to run onto the court to get guys to play hard,” Cronin lamented. “It’s crazy, and it’s every day. I’m tired of it. I have the most energy of anyone in practice every day. I’m upset with everybody in that locker room, my assistant coaches and my players.” He further added, “You would think I’m coaching the Lakers. It’s a joke. Yet I come in and I have more passion and energy and pride than everybody. And that’s the problem. That is the truth right now.”

The coach pointed out that the team’s lack of toughness is becoming evident in pivotal moments during games. “So what the truth of it has been, it’s really hard to coach people that are delusional,” he remarked. “The hungry dog gets the bone. We got guys who think they’re way better than they are. They’re nice kids, but they’re completely delusional about who they are.”

Cronin expressed hope that the recent defeat against Michigan might serve as the “humble pie” the players need, and emphasized the importance of finding athletes who will dedicate themselves to playing hard and following instructions. “But right now,” he noted, “I’m searching deeply for some guys that will play hard enough to win a Big Ten game.”