UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin Struggles To Put Optimistic Spin On Epic Second-Half Collapse Vs Arizona

We get it, Mick.

Your UCLA Bruins' win streak ended at two yesterday, when the club let go of the rope in the second half of a very winnable 77-71 loss to the No. 12-ranked Arizona Wildcats, who had trailed by as much as 19 points before the break.

Instead of inching closer to a .500 record and seemingly saving their season, the Bruins instead dropped to an 8-11 record, inching closer to the NIT Tournament.

To hear head coach Mick Cronin tell it, a big reason for the UCLA's erratic season start harkens back to his club's relative youth. Seven true freshmen dot the roster, while an eighth first-year Bruin, junior wing Lazar Stefanovic, is also fresh on the scene.

Per UCLA Communications, Cronin appeared to indicate that, even in a loss, at least the Bruins were notching reps.

“I’ve been developing players for a long time – it’s what we try to do. If your players get better, your team gets better. Every game that we play, we gain more experience. We grow from it.”

Coach Cronin, speaking after UCLA’s 77-71 loss at Arizona pic.twitter.com/g6uITmw0vX

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 21, 2024

“We just try to get better every day," Cronin said. "That’s what we do. I’ve been developing players for a long time. So, it’s what we try to do. If your players get better, your team gets better. Every game that we play, we gain more experience. We grow from it. Obviously, this game became – it was really smart on their part because we were winning a clean game, so they just went and made it a whole grab fest. We couldn’t run any offense. All we had was Sebastian [Mack] at that point to drive the ball because nobody else could drive the ball for us.”

UCLA will have its next opportunity to start a new winning streak this coming Saturday, against the USC Trojans, who currently sport an identical 8-11 record.