UCLA coach Mick Cronin has apologized to center Steven Jamerson II for ejecting him from a game against Michigan State, citing a need to better represent the university. The incident occurred during a blowout loss, with Cronin sending Jamerson to the locker room after a hard foul. Cronin has since apologized, stating that he sometimes speaks too candidly and needs to be more careful with his words.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA coach Mick Cronin said Friday he apologized to Steven Jamerson II for sending the center to the locker room late in a blowout loss at No. 15 Michigan State after he committed a hard foul. Even before the referees reviewed the play and assessed Jamerson with a flagrant-1 foul, Cronin grabbed Jamerson’s jersey and pointed for him to leave the court in the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 23-point loss to the Spartans in East Lansing.
Cronin’s actions were seen as unusual, with Bruins guard Trent Perry stating, “I don’t think, to be honest, the entire world has ever seen that in a game.” Cronin has since apologized to Jamerson, saying, “I already apologized to Steve, OK? It’s the only reason I sent him to the locker room. I thought he literally made a dirty play and tried to wipe the guy out. Once I saw the film, I mean, he still got an F-1. To be honest with you, I don’t even know if he deserved that.”
Cronin’s apology comes as the Bruins prepare to host 10th-ranked Illinois on Saturday. The team is looking to bounce back from back-to-back blowout losses, including a 30-point loss to then-No. 2 Michigan. Despite the losses, the Bruins remain confident, with guard Skyy Clark saying, “We just gotta stay together. That’s been the main focus.”
Cronin’s actions have sparked debate about his coaching style, with some questioning whether he has his players’ backs. However, Clark has found a balance between Cronin’s criticism, saying, “I say just listen to the message and not how it’s being conveyed. If you do that, then you really hear what he’s trying to say instead of how he’s trying to say it.”
The incident has also raised questions about Cronin’s representation of UCLA, with the coach stating, “I have to do a better job of this, that in this climate, you’ve got to be careful with what you say. I’m a good fit here because I know I’m not bigger than the brand and the brand matters here, the school matters.”
As the Bruins look to move forward, they will be relying on players like Jamerson and Clark to lead the team. With their lone signature win of the season coming against then-No. 4 Purdue, the team is looking to build on that momentum. As Clark said, “We saw that we can do it and so why not do it again?”
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