Mick Cronin’s Challenging Season with UCLA

Mick Cronin has had quite a ride recently. It’s clear he faced immense challenges, and there were moments he questioned everything, even thinking about firing himself.

With just one game left in the season, the stress was palpable.

Over the months, it’s been a real struggle for the UCLA basketball coach. His defense, usually a strong suit, seemed to vanish, and rebounding became a problem.

“I’ve never seen anything like this in my 23 years coaching,” he mentioned in a lengthy chat with the California Post.

Star players were not only disappointed but some were even missing. The team’s best defender sat out for over a month due to a hamstring injury, and road games turned into a nightmare. The Bruins, who kicked off the season ranked 12th, found themselves out of the rankings by early December.

The season hit a low point during a tough loss in East Lansing, Michigan. In an unusual move, Cronin ejected one of his own players, Stephen Jamerson II, for a flagrant foul.

The next day, it felt like every sports talk show was replaying the moment Cronin pulled on Jamerson’s jersey, visibly frustrated.

A month later, Cronin claimed he hadn’t paid much attention to the backlash.

“You forget, dude,” he said. “I’m not really keeping track.”

Yet, as the season progressed, the dynamic started to shift. Instead of falling apart, the pressure seemed to unite the players under their demanding coach.

Their defense improved, along with overall consistency. Despite any criticisms, the team still listened to Cronin.

“In the end, no matter his style, there’s always a solid message behind it,” guard Trent Perry relayed to the California Post.

What began as a fight for positioning in the NCAA Tournament has transformed for the seventh-seeded Bruins (23-11). They now look poised for a solid run, starting Friday at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena against 10th-seeded UCF (21-11).

“I’m quite proud of where we are now,” Cronin shared. “It’s been a tough journey.”

Rescuing his team involved some difficult conversations, strategic adjustments, and, at times, dramatic actions—like purposely walking onto the court to get technical fouls for perceived injustices from officials.

Early decisions were crucial. Cronin benched the starting four players for the season’s fifth game against Sacramento State.

“There’s always a button to push,” he noted. “I’ve been experimenting all year long.”

Maximizing Donovan Dent’s potential proved tricky. After transferring from New Mexico, Dent battled injuries and confidence issues while adjusting to college basketball.

By mid-January, Cronin recognized the need for a different approach with Dent, urging him to step up and take action.

This direction coincided with defensive changes, where the Bruins started using traps and other tweaks to cover for weaker defensive players.

UCLA also shifted to a three-guard lineup after Skye Clark returned from his injury. This move allowed for more shooting threats on the court.

“I’m just focusing on using my strengths,” Cronin commented.

Perhaps the pivotal moment came before facing Nebraska. Recognizing how the Cornhuskers thrived defensively without superior athleticism, Cronin illustrated their statistics using a team led by the coach’s less agile son.

“Honestly, it felt like they were trying to make a statement against us,” Cronin reflected.

Contrary to expectations, everything started to click for the Bruins. They notched three victories over top-10 teams and ranked third in offensive efficiency since early January, largely due to Dent’s playmaking.

Even amidst the scrutiny for his public ejection of Jamerson, Cronin later apologized, explaining he merely aimed to uphold the standards reminiscent of John Wooden’s legacy.

“It’s straightforward,” he insisted. “If you have any common sense, you would understand my perspective.”

Clark mentioned the players have learned not to take Cronin’s words or actions personally. They understand he’s genuinely trying to push them toward their best selves.

Cronin’s candid style includes calling players “delusional” and “incredibly soft,” expressing that they often act like small children over simple frustrations.

The response from the team hasn’t just been understood but accepted.

“Whenever he pushes our buttons, we make adjustments,” Clark noted. “It’s clear he’s motivating us, and it works.”

Even in a challenging season like this, Cronin remains steadfast in his methods.

“I just keep pushing the buttons,” he reiterated. “We keep pushing.”