UCLA coach Mick Cronin ejected as Maryland crushes Bruins 79-61
- Mick Cronin was ejected from the game with 5:11 remaining, leading to a significant momentum shift.
- UCLA struggled with turnovers and offensive consistency, compounding their challenges in the game.
- The loss continues UCLA's difficult stretch in the season, raising concerns about the team's future performance.
On January 10, 2025, in College Park, Maryland, UCLA faced off against the Maryland Terrapins in a college basketball match. The game ended with UCLA losing 79-61, marking the Bruins' third consecutive defeat. The match grew contentious when Bruins coach Mick Cronin was ejected with 5:11 left on the clock after receiving two quick technical fouls. This infraction occurred following a rebound by Maryland's Julian Reese, with UCLA trailing by nine points. Immediately after the ejection, Maryland capitalized on the situation, scoring six points in quick succession, which widened their lead significantly. Mick Cronin expressed deep dissatisfaction with the officiating and highlighted the challenges posed by the scheduling for his team since joining the Big Ten Conference. He pointed out that UCLA had only one day to prepare for the game after a demanding travel schedule. Earlier in the week, he criticized his team’s performance after a significant loss to Michigan, labeling them as 'soft' and 'delusional', but he refrained from attacking them publicly this time, instead focusing on the perceived injustices faced during the game. The game’s statistics show that UCLA struggled offensively, making 21 turnovers which severely hindered their ability to score points. In contrast, Maryland maintained a strong defensive performance, holding the Bruins to just 41.5% shooting from the field. For Maryland, Ja'Kobi Gillespie starred with an impressive 27 points, while Julian Reese contributed with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Terrapins' effective strategy included a critical 11-0 run in the first half that allowed them to take the lead, as well as a 10-0 run at the end of the game to secure victory. Following this defeat, Mick Cronin stated that he felt his team was not given a fair chance to win, particularly in the second half. He commented on the scheduling challenges, stating that Maryland enjoyed a significant advantage due to their extra days of preparation after a more staggered travel schedule. These concerns were compounded by the stressful situation at home for Cronin, as he mentioned personal worries regarding wildfires impacting his residence in the Los Angeles area. The culmination of criticisms, travel burdens, and performance issues potentially raises questions about the Bruins' resilience moving forward in the season.