Following UCLA’s defeat by Wisconsin, Mick Cronin recognized the Badgers’ superior shooting and underlined the need to strengthen defense.
After UCLA’s stunning loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, UCLA’s head coach, Mick Cronin, took center stage in his post-game press conference. The loss, a decisive defeat, left many fans and analysts shocked, especially considering the Bruins’ strong run up until this point. Wisconsin’s dominant shooting performance, led by John Tonje, was a focal point of the game, and Cronin wasted no time in acknowledging the Badgers’ exceptional play while reflecting on what went wrong for UCLA.
The Immediate Reaction
As Cronin stepped to the podium, the frustration and disappointment from his team’s performance were evident. He opened his remarks by complimenting the Badgers for their stellar shooting display, particularly John Tonje, who torched UCLA’s defense with an incredible barrage of three-pointers. Cronin spoke with candor and transparency, admitting that Wisconsin’s performance was a testament to their preparation and execution, but also acknowledging that UCLA had failed to respond defensively in key moments of the game.
“First off, credit to Wisconsin. Their shooting was lights out, especially Tonje. That kid can really shoot it, and we just didn’t get enough pressure on him,” Cronin said, acknowledging Tonje’s scoring outburst. “They hit shots when it mattered. We didn’t do enough to make it difficult for them, and that’s on us as a team. We didn’t execute our game plan.”
Dissecting the Defensive Struggles
For Cronin, one of the most pressing issues to address was UCLA’s defense, or rather, the lack thereof. The Bruins’ defense, typically a hallmark of their success, was notably absent in key stretches of the game. Despite the Bruins’ reputation for being a tough, physical, and disciplined defensive team, they were unable to contest shots effectively against the Badgers, particularly Tonje, who found open looks far too often. Cronin acknowledged that the Badgers’ offensive efficiency had exposed some vulnerabilities in UCLA’s defensive system.
“We just didn’t get out there on the shooters like we’re supposed to. Our closeouts were late, and we gave Tonje too much space,” Cronin remarked. “We knew he was capable of this, but we didn’t adjust well enough in the second half. At this level, if you give shooters like him space, you’re going to pay for it. And we paid in a big way tonight.”
One of the key factors in UCLA’s defensive struggles was their inability to effectively contest 3-pointers. Wisconsin, a team known for its methodical, disciplined offense, was able to get open looks from beyond the arc time and time again. Cronin pointed out that the Bruins’ defensive rotations were slow, allowing Wisconsin’s shooters to find their rhythm early in the game. The Badgers capitalized on these defensive lapses, knocking down shots from long range, which kept them comfortably ahead throughout the contest.
“We were too slow in our rotations. We didn’t communicate well enough on defense. In a game like this, where a team has shooters who can catch fire, you have to be sharper,” Cronin continued. “We let them dictate the tempo of the game. They hit those threes, and we couldn’t stop them.”
Cronin’s frustration was palpable as he delved deeper into the defensive breakdowns that had led to UCLA’s inability to slow down Wisconsin. It was clear that he placed much of the blame for the loss on his team’s defensive shortcomings, and he expressed a sense of urgency about needing to fix these issues before the next phase of the tournament.
“We have to tighten up our defense,” he stressed. “There’s no excuse for giving up that many open looks. We’ve prided ourselves on defense all season, but today, we just didn’t show up the way we needed to.”
Acknowledging the Offense
While Cronin primarily focused on the defensive side of the game, he also acknowledged that UCLA’s offense was not up to par, particularly in terms of execution and shot selection. The Bruins struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm, especially when they attempted to claw their way back into the game during the second half. Although they had moments of success on offense, particularly with their inside game, the lack of offensive cohesion only amplified their defensive issues.
“We were pressing a bit too much. We forced some shots and didn’t take the best ones. That added to the frustration,” Cronin explained. “When you’re struggling on defense and then not getting the buckets you need to keep the game close, it’s a tough combination. We didn’t do enough to break down their defense and get easier looks at the basket.”
Despite the struggles, Cronin was quick to praise his team’s fight and effort. The Bruins didn’t quit, even when the deficit grew, and they continued to battle through tough moments. However, it was clear that Cronin recognized the importance of a balanced attack, which had been missing throughout the game.
“We need to be more patient, more precise with our shot selection,” he said. “We can’t let a bad shooting night snowball into worse situations. It’s about sticking to what works for us, even when things aren’t going our way.”
The Importance of Adjustments
As Cronin reflected on the loss, he made it clear that adjustments were necessary for UCLA to succeed in the next stage of the tournament. He admitted that Wisconsin had been more prepared and more effective in their execution, but he also remained confident that his team could make the necessary changes to improve their performance going forward. Cronin has always been known for his ability to adjust and adapt his coaching style based on the circumstances of each game, and he was resolute in his belief that UCLA could bounce back.
“We have to be better. I believe in these guys, but they need to understand that tournament play is about adjustments—both in-game and in preparation,” Cronin stated. “We have to learn from this and take it one game at a time. The reality is, we can’t afford to make these mistakes again. We’ve got to learn from this loss and grow.”
The task ahead of the Bruins was clear: they needed to sharpen their defense and improve their offensive flow if they hoped to continue making a deep run in the tournament. Cronin knew that the next opponent would not give them any room for error, and the team would have to elevate their play in all areas.
Mental Toughness and Leadership
Throughout the press conference, Cronin emphasized the mental toughness needed for UCLA to succeed in the tournament. He spoke about the importance of leadership, both from the coaches and from the players, to ensure the team bounced back stronger after the loss. For Cronin, this meant ensuring his players stayed focused on the task at hand and didn’t let one defeat derail their momentum.
“I’m looking for leadership. I’m looking for guys to step up, especially now,” Cronin said. “We can’t let this loss define us. We’ve been through tough situations before, and we have the character to bounce back. Our older players have to lead. They’ve been here before, and we need their calmness and experience.”
Cronin’s message was clear: the Bruins were not out of the tournament yet, but they had to address their issues head-on. He called on his players to take ownership of their performance, individually and collectively, and to make the necessary adjustments for the next game. With the tournament progressing, UCLA could not afford to dwell on past mistakes if they hoped to move forward.
Looking Ahead
While the loss to Wisconsin was disappointing, it also served as a wake-up call for UCLA. Cronin’s remarks were filled with both frustration and determination. He made it clear that the season was far from over, but that the Bruins needed to show the same level of execution and focus that had propelled them to the tournament in the first place.
“We’ve got to be better on both ends of the floor, but especially on defense,” Cronin concluded. “We’ve got the talent, the skill, and the heart to be successful, but we have to execute. We’ve learned from this, and we’ll move forward stronger.”
As the tournament progressed, it was clear that Cronin’s words resonated with his team. While the loss to Wisconsin had exposed some vulnerabilities, it also provided the Bruins with a valuable opportunity to refocus and make adjustments. UCLA was far from out of the tournament, and with the lessons learned from this defeat, they could very well come back stronger, ready to continue their pursuit of a championship.
