Sports

Mick Cronin Belittles Reporter During Angry Spat After Ejecting His Own Player In Blowout Loss

#UCLA Bruins
by Last Updated

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Mick Cronin was not a happy camper on Tuesday night in East Lansing. The UCLA basketball coach was upset with just about anyone he came in contact with.

That was not limited to members of the media, or even his own players as the Bruins got blasted in Big 10 play by Michigan State.

The Spartans hosted their conference counterpart with intentions of earning their 21st win of the year. They’d succeed in doing so to further bolster their NCAA Tournament resume.

Michigan State got up early thanks to an 18-0 first half run. They’d take a 20-point lead into the halftime break before winning the game, 82-59.

UCLA could do little right on the court. They struggled to shoot and to defend while being outrebounded by a 10-board margin. Frustrations boiled over late in the game for the Bruins’ head coach.

Mick Cronin lost his mind.

With less than five minutes left in regulation, UCLA forward Steven Jamerson II fouled to stop a Michigan State fast break attempt.

He then squared up to his opponent with the Bruins trailing by 27 points.

Cronin took issue. He called Jamerson over to the bench and told him to go to the locker room. In essence, he ejected his own player.

Jamerson left the court. Things wouldn’t get any better for the Bruins. After the game, Mick Cronin’s temper again showed itself.

The coach belittled a reporter.

Cronin was asked about the Michigan State students’ section, and its response to former Spartan Xavier Brooks’ return to East Lansing.

The coach wasn’t having it.

“I could give a rat’s a– about the other team’s students’ section,” he said. “I’d like to give you kudos for the worst question I’ve ever been asked.”

He’d later get combative while assuming the victim role after initiating the confrontation. The optics weren’t great.

In the end, he was served a 23-point loss with his team currently on the bubble for NCAA Tournament selection. Prior to the setback, the Bruins were included as one of Joe Lunardi’s “Last 4 teams in.”

Cronin and Co. will look to put the frustrating night behind them and get back in the win column this weekend.