Mick Cronin voices frustration over UCLA's turnover issues

UCLA snapped a two-game losing skid on Thursday with a 70-61 win over Washington, but Mick Cronin‘s frustration was on full display following the win.

The Bruins had 18 turnovers in the win over the Huskies, leaving Cronin fuming during his postgame press conference despite the game’s outcome.

“You know, when guys turn the ball over they do happen in the course of a game,” Cronin said. “But when you’re throwing passes at people’s feet and Nolan Ryan fastballs off the glass, you think you’re going to win anyway.”

The implication was that UCLA’s players believed they were better than Washington. And while that might even be accurate, Cronin does not want that kind of mentality to be pervasive.

Because it can be downright deadly to the team’s long-term goals if it goes unaddressed.

“In my opinion, tonight, you’re just screwing around,” Cronin said. “And in doing that, all you do is make yourself look bad. Really bad.”

Mick Cronin voices frustration over attitude

Cronin did not like being asked about his team’s second half struggles after beating Washington on Thursday night. The Bruins had opened up a 16-point advantage at the half but were outplayed at the Pauley Pavilion.

“We’re 18-4,” Cronin said. “Every metric that matters we’re in the top five in the nation — and we don’t buy players. So I think everybody should be happy if you’re at UCLA. And I’m happy. I’m not happy about the turnovers. I think the other teams practice and I just said it, our best two players turned the ball.”

Tyger Campbell and Amari Bailey both had five turnovers while Jamie Jaquez Jr. had four turnovers of his own.

“Guys were screwing around thinking we’re up and we’re just gonna win,” Cronin said. “You know they’re way better than that. They never do that. So why would they do that? They’re screwing around.”

When asked why the team did that, Cronin was brief once again.

“I attributed that to immaturity,” he said.