UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin In Jeopardy Of Major NCAA Step Backwards

At 14-15, there are streaks to be snapped.

UCLA men's basketball head coach is figuratively walking a tightrope about Pauley Pavilion. With the team at 14-15, Cronin is in danger of snapping his 12-year NCAA tournament streak.

But, the fact that is glaring him in the face is that if this year's squad finishes with a losing record then it would only be the fifth losing season in 75 years which dates back to before John Wooden.

“Same thing as always – come in here every day with a great attitude and a great effort, regardless of result.”

Coach Cronin, speaking about expectations with his team going into this week’s two home games pic.twitter.com/Wn2IU536Dv

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) March 5, 2024

If the Bruins don't make the NCAA Tournament then it would be only the eighth time in 25 years that UCLA didn’t make the NCAA Tournament.

Cronon takes 100 percent of the blame.

“A hundred percent. Who else would it be?

“They’ve done the best they can do. It’s just reality. We got stuck in a rebuilding year, we tried to overcome it with our recruiting and it’s the way it is.”

Mick Cronin via Los Angeles Times

Cronin has preached all season that his young team was still developing but halfway through the season, they appeared to have turned a corner and were shooting up the Pac-12 rankings. 

They just hit a walk and lost their identity as of late and it is costing them dearly.

“When you have young guys on the floor too long, they’re going to foul — that’s been an issue for us — your defense breaks down, your [shooting] percentage drops, and so in a nutshell, if you were to say, what’s been the biggest issue, that would be it.”

Mick Cronin via Los Angeles Times

The Bruins have to beat No. 5 Arizona and Arizona State this weekend to finish the regular season with a winning record. As far as the Pac-12 Tournament goes? 

They need to win it. Plain and simple. If they want to taste the NCAA Tournament then they need to win the conference.