UCLA’s Tournament Chances Dwindle as Selection Sunday Approaches

With Selection Sunday just around the corner, UCLA finds itself in a precarious position, hovering on the edge of tournament eligibility. It seems they may not be in a good spot this time. Chris Dobertine, our bracket analyst, currently places the Bruins in the top four, but the upcoming game against Michigan State could be crucial. Another loss, coupled with a continued downward spiral under coach Mick Cronin, won’t help their cause.

Michigan State’s dominant 82-59 win over UCLA is likely to be overshadowed by some questionable decisions from Cronin. First, he made the odd move of getting one of his own players ejected after a technical foul. Later, during the post-game interview, Cronin’s strange response to a reporter’s question about MSU’s student section raised eyebrows.

Cronin’s interview was memorable for its awkward moments. He remarked, “I want to honor the worst question I’ve ever been asked,” after which he quipped about the reporter’s tone. When questioned back about whether he was raising his voice, the reporter responded calmly. It was an unusual exchange, to say the least.

Things escalated earlier in the game when Cronin took Jamerson II out, perceiving a foul during an MSU breakaway layup as a dirty move. The Bruins were trailing by a significant margin with only five minutes left, which perhaps added to Cronin’s theatrics.

This all seems to suggest that Cronin might be gearing up for a future beyond coaching, maybe looking toward a studio role or a podcast, rather than concentrating on steering his team to the NCAA Tournament.

The Bruins, historically one of the prideful programs in college basketball, don’t need this kind of attention. Cronin, who has been with UCLA for six seasons, has had his successes, including leading the team to the Final Four in 2021 as a No. 11 seed and securing back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. However, after a year of absence from the tournament, the team returned last year but now finds itself on the bubble once again. If Cronin can’t secure a tournament spot this year, it might be time to reconsider his position.

There’s still the potential to improve and solidify their standing at UCLA. The season isn’t over, and for the Bruins to find success, Cronin may need to refocus and stop chasing viral moments.