EAST LANSING, Mich. – UCLA’s Troubles Worsen
UCLA might be in need of more than just a minor tweak to their roster.
Perhaps a complete overhaul?
Their season is spiraling, and after the last two games, it’s hard to see them keeping up with top-tier teams.
Just three days after suffering a significant 30-point loss to Michigan, the Bruins hit a new low. We can at least hope it doesn’t get any worse from here.
In their recent match against No. 15 Michigan State, the team fell behind by 24 points in the first half, ultimately losing 82-59.
The Bruins needed to display some grit, but they crumbled quickly. They recorded a scoreless stretch lasting nearly eight minutes while facing that early deficit.
UCLA’s performance was lacking on both ends, dropping their overall record to 17-9 and 9-6 in the Big Ten. Following a poor second half against Michigan, they managed a mere 41 points in the first half against the Spartans.
A particularly disheartening moment came when UCLA inbounded the ball with just 1.1 seconds left on the shot clock but chose not to attempt a shot, simply holding onto it instead.
Coach’s Dilemma
Despite pledging to make changes after the loss to Michigan, UCLA coach Mick Cronin stuck with the same starting lineup. Unfortunately, his belief in his players didn’t pay off.
Tyler Bilodeau was an exception, scoring 22 points. However, the rest of the starters were lackluster, with Donovan Dent, Eric Daley Jr., Trent Perry, and Xavier Booker combining for only 20 points.
To make matters worse, about five minutes from the end of the game, Clark went down, grabbing his left leg. He had previously been sidelined for over a month due to a hamstring injury on the same leg.
It was a fittingly grim conclusion to the evening.
This game also carried significance beyond NCAA Tournament positioning. For two Bruins, it represented a chance at revenge.
Booker had transferred after spending his first two years at Michigan State, while backup Stephen Jamerson II had aspirations with the Spartans but faced challenges getting in. Both players likely left feeling disappointed.
Amid instructions from Michigan State’s coach to welcome Booker back, he was met with boos during introductions. He finished with just two points, two rebounds, and two blocks. Jamerson committed a harsh foul and was ejected by his coach. As he exited, Cronin gestured for him to head to the locker room.
A Critical Shift
After a strong start, Michigan State surged with a 23-3 run, primarily fueled by six 3-pointers. This proved decisive.
Cronin called multiple timeouts to try to shift momentum but found it unhelpful. During one timeout, he seemed to express frustration toward Daley regarding his defense, as Michigan State’s Cohen Carr drove in for an easy layup.
Defensive lapses plagued UCLA, allowing the Spartans to shoot nearly 58% in the first half, converting 8 of 14 from beyond the arc.
Key Player
The sharp shooting by Michigan State’s players made any comeback hopes for UCLA nearly impossible. They excelled at moving the ball, resulting in open shots and multiple assists.
Looking Ahead
As they wrap up a tough segment of their season, the Bruins are set to face No. 10 Illinois at home on Saturday. With just two games remaining, there are still chances to secure some quality wins.
