COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Just days after delivering a scathing critique of his team in the aftermath of a disappointing home defeat against Michigan, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin redirected his frustration towards the officiating crew. Cronin’s ire culminated in an ejection with just over five minutes remaining in a 79-61 loss to Maryland on Friday night, as he openly criticized the game officials and the scheduling practices of the Big Ten conference. In a stark departure from his previous harsh assessment of his players as “soft” and “delusional” following the loss to Michigan, Cronin shifted the blame this time to what he perceived as an unfair game situation.
“In defense of my guys, I didn’t think we were given any chance to win in the second half,” Cronin asserted. “I let (official) Jeff Anderson know, I hit the showers.”
The tempestuous outburst from Cronin unfolded as UCLA lagged nine points behind Maryland after the Terps secured a crucial rebound. The sequence resulted in Cronin receiving two rapid technical fouls and being ushered off the court.
“I don’t remember the last time I had a technical,” Cronin reflected. “I had enough. I’m sending a message. I’m tired of it. I know we’re the outsider and all that — us, SC, and Oregon — but that was ridiculous.”
While acknowledging Maryland’s prowess as a formidable home team, Cronin remained steadfast in defending his players. He raised concerns about the physicality of the game and the perceived leniency towards excessively aggressive play that hindered his team’s offensive execution.
“The technical fouls led to a six-point possession for Maryland, and the game became a rout,” Cronin lamented. “We needed some stronger officials on the game in my opinion, but we needed to be stronger with the ball.”
The scheduling challenges faced by UCLA in their inaugural Pac-12 season, alongside Southern California, Oregon, and Washington, added a layer of complexity to their already demanding travel itinerary. Following a grueling itinerary that included matchups against Nebraska, Michigan, Maryland, and Rutgers, Cronin highlighted the logistical hurdles and time constraints that adversely impacted the team’s preparation and performance.
“We had to travel on a five-hour-and-50-minute flight. They got home Sunday. They had two extra days,” Cronin detailed. “Now Rutgers is sitting at home and they got an extra day. I haven’t mapped all this out, but I sure hope it swings our way at some point.”
Amidst the chaotic backdrop of wildfires plaguing the Los Angeles area, Cronin’s distress peaked when he received alerts about the proximity of his residence to potential evacuation zones. The tumultuous circumstances underscored the emotional toll and distractions faced by Cronin and his team during a challenging stretch of road games.
“My house is getting real close to being evacuated,” Cronin disclosed. “When I got thrown out, I just immediately went
