University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Postgame Quotes - Michigan 94, UCLA 75
POSTGAME QUOTES
Michigan 94, UCLA 75
Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom)
January 7, 2025
ย
Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Menโs Head Basketball Coachย
opening statementย
โObviously they shot the ball well, but weโre soft. Weโre too soft to play hard enough. We canโt get an offensive rebound. Itโs a five-point game and Kobe Johnson lets a guy take the ball from him โ same thing with Sebastian Mack. And we finally do get a stop, and we canโt get a defensive rebound. They didnโt have a million of them, because they didnโt miss that many shots, but there were a few. Kobe, Sebastian, huge, back-breaking. And theyโve got inside position, so donโt tell me you want to win. To start the game, Tyler Bilodeau gave up 12 points. Two screens, he didnโt say a word, and he got dunked on two times. So just donโt tell me you want to win. Weโre soft, aside from, to be fair, they have a unique skillset and the way they shoot the ball. But weโre soft.โย
ย
on the teamโs motivationย
โI have to run on the court to get guys to play hard. Itโs crazy and itโs every day, Iโm tired of it. I have the most energy of anybody in practice every day. Iโm upset with everybody in that locker room, my assistant coaches and my players. I donโt need to do anything โ Iโve got 500 wins and Iโm 53. Youโd think Iโm coaching the Lakers, itโs a joke. And I come in and I have more passion and energy and pride than anybody in there, thatโs the problem. Thatโs the truth right now. When number 3โs hot, shooting 4-7 from three, you cannot let him shoot. Heโs going to back up. Next two plays, he made two. Will Kyle let him shoot, just stood there. He just looked at him and said โare you just going to let me shootโ and bang. Next play, Dylan Andrews, bang.โย
ย
on fixing the teamโs mindsetย ย
โHereโs what you do โ you play the guys that play hard and do what you tell them. But right now, Iโm searching deeply for some guys that will play hard enough to win a Big Ten game. As poor as we shot the ball at Nebraska, our second half defense was embarrassing. So the truth of it is that itโs really hard to coach people that are delusional. The hungry dog gets the bone. Weโve got guys who think theyโre way better than they are, theyโre nice kids, but theyโre completely delusional about who they are. The team thatโs mind is on the right stuff, and is hungry to win in conference play, is the team thatโs probably going to win. Right now, weโre far. If this wasnโt the humble pie they needed, then I donโt know. But why wasnโt it the Nebraska game? I donโt know. Weโll see. The problem is that right now Iโm frustrated with my players and my staff and itโs been this way all year with this team. I told them the toughest guy in the room canโt be me every day. It canโt. You can only do so much.โย
ย
on whether this performance was abnormal
โNo. The truth of it is, if you look at our schedule since December, itโs been really tough. I was worried about our gas tank, because this was going to take a monumental defensive effort if they shot the ball. There are games where theyโve been 4-for-20 from three, wasnโt today. When they shoot the ball well, itโs really hard to defend. And I was worried about whether our gas tank was where it needed to be, and our mental state. If itโs your mental state, you fight through it. Our guys are delusional about what itโs going to take to win games. We watched film on the Nebraska game thinking it wasnโt our game and the ball didnโt go in; no. Our defense was embarrassing in the second half of that game. Our last three halves of defense, we gave up 42, 47, and 47 points. Thatโs not going to cut it. The truth is, we canโt score enough, especially when weโre shooting the ball from the three 2-20 and from the foul line, we missed eleven free throws. The only chance we have, and I told them this on July 8th, is to be the toughest team and have a great defensive team. We donโt have anybody that was an all-league player last year, in any league, and weโve got guys from a lot of leagues. Thatโs just the truth.โย
ย
on his message to the teamย
โWhy should I have to challenge your manhood, your character, and your toughness? You can only do that so much. And right now, I donโt have a player. Last year, Adem Bona would have been going crazy. The year before, Tyger, Jaime, and David. We donโt have that.โย
ย
on the difference between tonightโs game and the game against Gonzagaย
โWe gave up 40 more points. We held Arizona in the 50s, Gonzaga in the 50s and 60s. We saw the difference, the other team scored 94. Iโm running on the court to try to get guys to pressure the ball and play hard. Come on, man. I think itโs pretty clear that weโre not winning a three-point shooting contest with Michigan. If itโs a game of horse, theyโve got guys five feet behind the line that arenโt missing. Weโve got guys that are 2 for 20. I just question our toughness. I donโt question it; the reality is the reality. Youโve got guys one-on-one and theyโve got position to get a rebound, and a guy from Michigan just throws him out of the way and gets the ball. Welcome to the Big Ten.โย
ย
on their play against Michiganโs bigsย
โNot enough. But I didnโt see enough from anyone on the floor.โย
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr.ย
on the teamโs fightย
โWe just have to keep having toughness. We came back a little bit in the second half, but we just had to keep doing the things that got us there. Toughness is a real thing. Offensively, some things werenโt falling for us, but at the end of the day, great teams win games when shots arenโt falling. We just need to be better.โ
ย
on the vocal leaders in the locker room
โA lot of our veteran guys talk. Itโs the same message โ toughness. Itโs hard, this is Big Ten basketball now. We have to be the tougher team every night, especially when we are undersized. We have to have more fight and toughness. Those are the things that win games. Itโs the intangibles.โ
on what Coach Cronin's message to the team was after the game
โWe have to find a way to win when it gets tough. There is nothing other than that. Some teams are going to make shots in your gym, some nights we are going to be off, some nights we are going to be on. But itโs the little things, possessions, turnovers, loose balls, fouls, all of those things that lead up to games like this.ย ย We are playing against a really good team and things happen. We have to be prepared to shake back from, and this game is a learning experience. Thatโs fine.ย ย We have two more games on the road coming up. We have to be ready.โ
on Coach Croninโs comments about the team after the game
โWe know we arenโt soft. Iโm not soft, and the guy sitting next to me is definitely not soft and those guys in the locker room are not soft. They are just words right now. We have to show him that we are tough. So itโs just motivation to fight. Itโs all we can do.โ
on what makes the Big Ten games different
โThey are just bigger. Literally, Big Ten, the players are bigger in this conference, and the skill stuff. Itโs still no excuse for how we played tonight. All of that is up to us. We could have done a lot of things better to win the game.ย ย This is not the PAC-12 anymore, thatโs fine, we are in a better league. This is what we wanted. This is what we came here for, to play good teams in what I think is the best conference in college right now. We have games coming up that we have to be prepared for, we are going to learn from this, watch film, and go at it in practice tomorrow. Thatโs part of the game, thatโs part of the grind.โย ย
on the message the loss sends to the team
โWe have stuff to work on as a team. Shots are going to fall. Iโm going to keep saying the same thing because it is true, toughness. Thatโs it.โย
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeauย
on the teamโs conversations after the defeat
โWe have to be tougher. We had a little spurt there in the second half, but we have to sustain it for the whole. Every game is going to be a fight and we have to know that. We have to be prepared.โ
ย
on the teamโs defensive gameplan and Michiganโs perimeter shootingย
โIt was in the scouting report. I think they made 19 threes last game, so we know they could really shoot it. I think communication and not letting the ball get inside was a big focus, but also we knew they could shoot, so we had to get the shooters. I think communication was the biggest thing.โ
on the struggles from three-point range for the team:
โI think we will be fine. I think we are a really good three-point shooting team. Obviously had a tough couple games shooting the ball, but I think it will come, Iโm not worried about it.โ
Michigan head coach Dusty Mayย
opening remarks
"We showed a lot of resolve. When the fight came, we didn't give in. I like the way our team responded. I thought we played well."ย
on the career days for Vladislav Goldin and Tre Donaldson
"Both had sensational performances. They really play with a high basketball IQ. Once UCLA guarded Vlad in the paint, we were able to set off-ball screens for Tre. Our guys really had it going. We played with great intelligence."ย
on Vladislav Goldin's performanceย
"Vlad really guarded the ball. He shut down the paint. When we got Danny [Wolf] and Vlad, we thought they would be the best frontcourt duo in the country. We're not quite there yet, but we're close to that."ย
on their 4-0 conference record and what they will work on moving forwardย
"We had three road wins, and so we can't get complacent. We'll go back home and see what to expect from the other opponents. We just have to not be overconfident. We managed the clock much better tonight when UCLA made their run."ย
on Michiganโs other standout performancesย
"Nimari Burnett had some really good key rebounds. Rubin Jones played tough and handled the pressure well. These toughness plays gave us momentum."ย
ย
Michigan 94, UCLA 75
Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom)
January 7, 2025
ย
Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Menโs Head Basketball Coachย
opening statementย
โObviously they shot the ball well, but weโre soft. Weโre too soft to play hard enough. We canโt get an offensive rebound. Itโs a five-point game and Kobe Johnson lets a guy take the ball from him โ same thing with Sebastian Mack. And we finally do get a stop, and we canโt get a defensive rebound. They didnโt have a million of them, because they didnโt miss that many shots, but there were a few. Kobe, Sebastian, huge, back-breaking. And theyโve got inside position, so donโt tell me you want to win. To start the game, Tyler Bilodeau gave up 12 points. Two screens, he didnโt say a word, and he got dunked on two times. So just donโt tell me you want to win. Weโre soft, aside from, to be fair, they have a unique skillset and the way they shoot the ball. But weโre soft.โย
ย
on the teamโs motivationย
โI have to run on the court to get guys to play hard. Itโs crazy and itโs every day, Iโm tired of it. I have the most energy of anybody in practice every day. Iโm upset with everybody in that locker room, my assistant coaches and my players. I donโt need to do anything โ Iโve got 500 wins and Iโm 53. Youโd think Iโm coaching the Lakers, itโs a joke. And I come in and I have more passion and energy and pride than anybody in there, thatโs the problem. Thatโs the truth right now. When number 3โs hot, shooting 4-7 from three, you cannot let him shoot. Heโs going to back up. Next two plays, he made two. Will Kyle let him shoot, just stood there. He just looked at him and said โare you just going to let me shootโ and bang. Next play, Dylan Andrews, bang.โย
ย
on fixing the teamโs mindsetย ย
โHereโs what you do โ you play the guys that play hard and do what you tell them. But right now, Iโm searching deeply for some guys that will play hard enough to win a Big Ten game. As poor as we shot the ball at Nebraska, our second half defense was embarrassing. So the truth of it is that itโs really hard to coach people that are delusional. The hungry dog gets the bone. Weโve got guys who think theyโre way better than they are, theyโre nice kids, but theyโre completely delusional about who they are. The team thatโs mind is on the right stuff, and is hungry to win in conference play, is the team thatโs probably going to win. Right now, weโre far. If this wasnโt the humble pie they needed, then I donโt know. But why wasnโt it the Nebraska game? I donโt know. Weโll see. The problem is that right now Iโm frustrated with my players and my staff and itโs been this way all year with this team. I told them the toughest guy in the room canโt be me every day. It canโt. You can only do so much.โย
ย
on whether this performance was abnormal
โNo. The truth of it is, if you look at our schedule since December, itโs been really tough. I was worried about our gas tank, because this was going to take a monumental defensive effort if they shot the ball. There are games where theyโve been 4-for-20 from three, wasnโt today. When they shoot the ball well, itโs really hard to defend. And I was worried about whether our gas tank was where it needed to be, and our mental state. If itโs your mental state, you fight through it. Our guys are delusional about what itโs going to take to win games. We watched film on the Nebraska game thinking it wasnโt our game and the ball didnโt go in; no. Our defense was embarrassing in the second half of that game. Our last three halves of defense, we gave up 42, 47, and 47 points. Thatโs not going to cut it. The truth is, we canโt score enough, especially when weโre shooting the ball from the three 2-20 and from the foul line, we missed eleven free throws. The only chance we have, and I told them this on July 8th, is to be the toughest team and have a great defensive team. We donโt have anybody that was an all-league player last year, in any league, and weโve got guys from a lot of leagues. Thatโs just the truth.โย
ย
on his message to the teamย
โWhy should I have to challenge your manhood, your character, and your toughness? You can only do that so much. And right now, I donโt have a player. Last year, Adem Bona would have been going crazy. The year before, Tyger, Jaime, and David. We donโt have that.โย
ย
on the difference between tonightโs game and the game against Gonzagaย
โWe gave up 40 more points. We held Arizona in the 50s, Gonzaga in the 50s and 60s. We saw the difference, the other team scored 94. Iโm running on the court to try to get guys to pressure the ball and play hard. Come on, man. I think itโs pretty clear that weโre not winning a three-point shooting contest with Michigan. If itโs a game of horse, theyโve got guys five feet behind the line that arenโt missing. Weโve got guys that are 2 for 20. I just question our toughness. I donโt question it; the reality is the reality. Youโve got guys one-on-one and theyโve got position to get a rebound, and a guy from Michigan just throws him out of the way and gets the ball. Welcome to the Big Ten.โย
ย
on their play against Michiganโs bigsย
โNot enough. But I didnโt see enough from anyone on the floor.โย
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr.ย
on the teamโs fightย
โWe just have to keep having toughness. We came back a little bit in the second half, but we just had to keep doing the things that got us there. Toughness is a real thing. Offensively, some things werenโt falling for us, but at the end of the day, great teams win games when shots arenโt falling. We just need to be better.โ
ย
on the vocal leaders in the locker room
โA lot of our veteran guys talk. Itโs the same message โ toughness. Itโs hard, this is Big Ten basketball now. We have to be the tougher team every night, especially when we are undersized. We have to have more fight and toughness. Those are the things that win games. Itโs the intangibles.โ
on what Coach Cronin's message to the team was after the game
โWe have to find a way to win when it gets tough. There is nothing other than that. Some teams are going to make shots in your gym, some nights we are going to be off, some nights we are going to be on. But itโs the little things, possessions, turnovers, loose balls, fouls, all of those things that lead up to games like this.ย ย We are playing against a really good team and things happen. We have to be prepared to shake back from, and this game is a learning experience. Thatโs fine.ย ย We have two more games on the road coming up. We have to be ready.โ
on Coach Croninโs comments about the team after the game
โWe know we arenโt soft. Iโm not soft, and the guy sitting next to me is definitely not soft and those guys in the locker room are not soft. They are just words right now. We have to show him that we are tough. So itโs just motivation to fight. Itโs all we can do.โ
on what makes the Big Ten games different
โThey are just bigger. Literally, Big Ten, the players are bigger in this conference, and the skill stuff. Itโs still no excuse for how we played tonight. All of that is up to us. We could have done a lot of things better to win the game.ย ย This is not the PAC-12 anymore, thatโs fine, we are in a better league. This is what we wanted. This is what we came here for, to play good teams in what I think is the best conference in college right now. We have games coming up that we have to be prepared for, we are going to learn from this, watch film, and go at it in practice tomorrow. Thatโs part of the game, thatโs part of the grind.โย ย
on the message the loss sends to the team
โWe have stuff to work on as a team. Shots are going to fall. Iโm going to keep saying the same thing because it is true, toughness. Thatโs it.โย
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeauย
on the teamโs conversations after the defeat
โWe have to be tougher. We had a little spurt there in the second half, but we have to sustain it for the whole. Every game is going to be a fight and we have to know that. We have to be prepared.โ
ย
on the teamโs defensive gameplan and Michiganโs perimeter shootingย
โIt was in the scouting report. I think they made 19 threes last game, so we know they could really shoot it. I think communication and not letting the ball get inside was a big focus, but also we knew they could shoot, so we had to get the shooters. I think communication was the biggest thing.โ
on the struggles from three-point range for the team:
โI think we will be fine. I think we are a really good three-point shooting team. Obviously had a tough couple games shooting the ball, but I think it will come, Iโm not worried about it.โ
Michigan head coach Dusty Mayย
opening remarks
"We showed a lot of resolve. When the fight came, we didn't give in. I like the way our team responded. I thought we played well."ย
on the career days for Vladislav Goldin and Tre Donaldson
"Both had sensational performances. They really play with a high basketball IQ. Once UCLA guarded Vlad in the paint, we were able to set off-ball screens for Tre. Our guys really had it going. We played with great intelligence."ย
on Vladislav Goldin's performanceย
"Vlad really guarded the ball. He shut down the paint. When we got Danny [Wolf] and Vlad, we thought they would be the best frontcourt duo in the country. We're not quite there yet, but we're close to that."ย
on their 4-0 conference record and what they will work on moving forwardย
"We had three road wins, and so we can't get complacent. We'll go back home and see what to expect from the other opponents. We just have to not be overconfident. We managed the clock much better tonight when UCLA made their run."ย
on Michiganโs other standout performancesย
"Nimari Burnett had some really good key rebounds. Rubin Jones played tough and handled the pressure well. These toughness plays gave us momentum."ย
ย