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Mick Cronin accuses players of being worried about the wrong things after Minnesota loss

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/19/25•

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Kirby Lee | USA TODAY Sports

Late Tuesday night, UCLA dropped a surprising one to Minnesota. Winners in eight of nine heading into the game, Mick Cronin was not too happy during his postgame press conference. After all, this was just the Bruins’ second home loss of the season.

Cronin believes some of his players are focused on the wrong things at the moment. He did not get into specifics but did take blame for his team’s mentality. It was described as a “loser” one — a little concerning this late in the season and into the NCAA Tournament.

“Even if we had won this game, I’m trying to build a team that has a chance in the NCAA Tournament,” Cronin said. “And it’s just really disappointing that I have guys worried about the wrong things. Because it’s a losing mentality to wonder if your shot went in or how many points you have. So, I failed miserably. It’s all my fault.”

Missed free throws are a big storyline directly leaving the court. UCLA lost by three points and missed ten shots from the line, going 9-19. Making just a few of those would have changed the result but as Cronin mentioned, a win would have not changed how he felt about his team right now.

“We’re worried about the wrong things,” Cronin said. “Shouldn’t be worried about whether the free throw goes in. Be tough enough to go play defense. Things are not going to go right all the time in life, go play defense.”

Cronin has four games remaining in the regular season to get all his team’s issues straightened out. Sunday against Ohio State will be their next game, also taking place in Los Angeles. In a time when a nice bounce-back is needed, playing at home in Pauley Pavilion is a massive boost.

There is no guarantee of making the NCAA Tournament either. On3’s James Fletcher has UCLA as a seven-seed in his latest Bracketology and on the right side of the bubble. The Minnesota loss still sees the Bruins in the field but certainly not a favorable result.

Even so, the goal for Cronin is a little more than making the NCAA Tournament. He wants to advance and compete for national championships. But as of now, the mentality is currently not clicking inside the locker room. Changes appear to be needed moving forward before the calendar turns to the month of March.