UCLA’s Coach Cronin Sparks Team Victory Over Washington
Mick Cronin had reached his breaking point. After a series of questionable calls, particularly during a pivotal contested layup by his point guard, he felt compelled to take action.
Midway through the second half, frustration boiled over. Cronin charged into the Pauley Pavilion, waving his arms and expressing his displeasure quite openly. His outburst resulted in a technical foul, which granted Washington two free throws.
This moment turned the tide for the Bruins, leading them to a 77-73 win against the Huskies. Point guard Donovan Dent noted how Cronin’s energy reinvigorated the team: “If my coach is fired up, I’m fired up too,” he said.
The crowd responded enthusiastically, especially when Washington’s Zoom Diallo missed both of his technical free throws. Soon after, Dent made a steal and assisted Trent Perry, who hit a 3-pointer, boosting UCLA’s lead.
Perry shone in the second half, scoring 16 points out of his total of 23, helping the Bruins secure their second consecutive victory and their fifth win in six games.
But even after the win, Cronin expressed dissatisfaction. He had concerns about his team’s defense and the refereeing, which allowed Washington to shoot a solid 50 percent from the field. “I’m not happy with the refs at all,” he remarked, “but they probably don’t really care.”
After witnessing his coach’s fiery response, some players felt it was a bit much. “I thought, ‘Coach, we don’t need that,’” said Perry. “But he said he did it on purpose. And it worked. We got the job done.”
What Does This Win Mean?
This victory was crucial for UCLA as they gear up for a challenging part of their schedule. It doesn’t drastically change their NCAA Tournament outlook, but it helps avoid the sting of another loss at home after a tough defeat to Indiana just a week ago. The Bruins have an impressive 14-1 home record this season.
Turning Point
Tyler Bilodeau made quite an impact in the second half. After struggling in the first, he quickly drained two 3-pointers, and even after dealing with foul trouble, he hit a tough floater, plus the subsequent free throw, extending the Bruins’ lead to five points late in the game. He scored 15 of his 19 points in that half.
MVP
Cronin continues to advocate for Trent Perry to return next season. Perry has stepped up in the absence of injured teammate Skye Clark, and Cronin commented on the importance of character and work ethic in a player’s growth. “I’ll do my best to convince his parents,” he shared.
Looking Ahead
The Bruins will have a rare week off before facing formidable opponents, including the second-ranked Michigan State and the tenth-ranked Michigan. The game against the Wolverines promises to be particularly exciting, as they will face Aday Mara, a former Bruin who has significantly impacted the University of Michigan’s rise.
