COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Following a disappointing loss at home to Michigan, UCLA’s head coach Mick Cronin shifted his ire from his players to the officiating during their recent game against Maryland. The Bruins suffered a 79-61 defeat on Friday night, and Cronin was ejected with just over five minutes remaining in the match, expressing significant frustration regarding the officiating and the scheduling issues within the Big Ten conference.
Unlike his earlier critiques of his team, whom he labeled as “soft” and “delusional” after their loss to Michigan, Cronin offered a more tempered view of his players this time around. He believed they were subjected to an unjust playing environment during the second half of the Maryland game. “In defense of my guys, I didn’t think we were given any chance to win in the second half,” Cronin stated, referring to how the officials managed the game. After signaling his grievances to referee Jeff Anderson, he exited the arena amid his frustrations.
Cronin’s confrontation with the officials intensified as UCLA fell behind by nine points when Maryland secured a crucial rebound. He was promptly assessed two technical fouls, which resulted in his ejection from the game. “I don’t remember the last time I had a technical,” Cronin remarked, asserting his message about the officiating. He felt that his team deserved better protection on the court while acknowledging Maryland’s quality as a home team.
The technical foul incident allowed Maryland to significantly widen their lead, transforming the match into a one-sided affair. Despite the defeat, Cronin expressed that stronger officiating could have positively impacted the Bruins’ performance, along with the requirement for his players to bolster their possession play. “We didn’t have a lot of time; we had one day to prepare,” he added in defense of his team.
This season marks UCLA’s initial participation in the Big Ten, alongside Southern California, Oregon, and Washington. The logistical challenges of travel were anticipated, and now the Bruins are confronting them head-on. With a schedule that involved a lengthy flight from Nebraska, a brief home game against Michigan, and consecutive road games against Maryland and Rutgers, concerns about travel fatigue are prominent for the team.