Sloppy play leads UCLA men to a disappointing loss to Minnesota

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UCLA coach Mick Cronin talks to guard Eric Dailey Jr. during the game. (Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Sixteen minutes into his weekly media availability, after addressing a variety of topics, including a planned Bill Walton tribute and the memories of his first coaching victory, Mick Cronin wanted to know why no one had asked about UCLA’s next opponent.

“Please,” Cronin implored reporters, “somebody ask, they’re 3-3 in their last six with two road wins.”

The Bruins’ coach went on to sell the merits of Minnesota. He pointed out that they had one of the Big Ten’s leading scorers in Dawson Garcia and one of the most veteran starting lineups in college basketball. He mentioned the Golden Gophers having beaten conference front-runner Michigan, their excellent help defense and their having mauled USC in the paint last weekend during a victory at the Galen Center.

By the time he was finished, Cronin had made a team vying to remain above .500 sound like a juggernaut.

The next day, the Gophers lived up to their billing in storming back from what looked like certain defeat.

Trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half and 11 at halftime, Minnesota found itself ahead by a point with eight seconds left after Lu’Cye Patterson drove for a layup.

UCLA called timeout with 4.9 seconds left to set up a final play, but Sebastian Mack was called for charging with 1.7 seconds left.

Read more: On the verge of win No. 500, Mick Cronin indicates he’s content at UCLA

The Bruins fouled Garcia on the inbounds pass and he made both free throws before Dylan Andrews’ heave from beyond three-quarters-court was well off the mark, leaving the Bruins with a stunning 64-61 loss that denied Cronin his 500th career victory.

Minnesota was in position for the stunner thanks to some sloppy play and lots of UCLA missed free throws. The Bruins missed 10 of 15 attempts from the foul line in the second half, including the front end of two one-and-one situations and two Eric…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sloppy-play-leads-ucla-men-060915843.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2025-02-19 06:09:00

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