University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Postgame Quotes - Minnesota 78, UCLA 73
POSTGAME QUOTES
Minnesota 78, UCLA 73
Minneapolis, Minn. (Williams Arena)
February 28, 2026
Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Menโs Head Basketball Coach
opening statement
โPlus 10 on the glass, shoot 51 percent, make 10 threes โ you should win, but not with this team. Weโve struggled defensively all year. Itโs been a grind, something I havenโt experienced in 30 years in college, 23 as a head coach, seven as an assistant. I have never experienced anything like this. We just have deficiencies and they exposed them โ give them all the credit. Execution is what it is all about, and Iโm talking about defensive execution. We have weaknesses. They exposed them, give them the credit.โ
on the differences between the first and second half from Minnesota, on defense
โThey started matching up a little bit more out of their zone. They started matching up late in the clock, playing man late in the clock. We struggled to follow instruction and go to our man offense when they did that.โ
on reasons for optimism, heading home with two games in Los Angeles next week
โI think that is an excuse. I think certain teams, matchups are everything. Iโm a big believer in matchups. If I had to do it over again, I would have played a 2-3 zone and stood in it. They couldnโt have been any worse than our man.โ
on UCLAโs defense against Minnesota, in particular in the first half
โWe got lost immediately. That being said, it's just a bad matchup for the type of defenders we have โ it really is. Obviously, they are 11-4, now 12-4 [at home]. It was a bad matchup for Iowa, Michigan State, and Indiana, too. We have struggled with it all year. Itโs not all effort, itโs really not all effort, itโs defensive ability. Thatโs the difference in this era, when you donโt have guys for periods of time to turn them into effective defenders. Youโre not rolling guys out there who have been in your system for three, four or five years, with redshirts and stuff like that. I think you are seeing it all over. If you look at college basketball, scoring is way up and the numbers, and I think itโs a byproduct of what Iโm telling you.โ
UCLA senior Tyler Bilodeau
on Minnesotaโs offense
โThey were running a zone, did a good job moving and talking and getting to guys. Just trying to find openings. Second half, just more attentive to things.โ
on Minnesotaโs offense in the second half, and game-planning for that
โI think that is what we scouted for. They made some tough shots. We have to do better at fighting through screens and switching. Also, canโt let any points in the paint, against a team like that when they are that hot from three.โ
on the Bruins playing two more games in Los Angeles (one at home, one at USC)
โGood, looking forward to it.โ
ย
Minnesota 78, UCLA 73
Minneapolis, Minn. (Williams Arena)
February 28, 2026
Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Menโs Head Basketball Coach
opening statement
โPlus 10 on the glass, shoot 51 percent, make 10 threes โ you should win, but not with this team. Weโve struggled defensively all year. Itโs been a grind, something I havenโt experienced in 30 years in college, 23 as a head coach, seven as an assistant. I have never experienced anything like this. We just have deficiencies and they exposed them โ give them all the credit. Execution is what it is all about, and Iโm talking about defensive execution. We have weaknesses. They exposed them, give them the credit.โ
on the differences between the first and second half from Minnesota, on defense
โThey started matching up a little bit more out of their zone. They started matching up late in the clock, playing man late in the clock. We struggled to follow instruction and go to our man offense when they did that.โ
on reasons for optimism, heading home with two games in Los Angeles next week
โI think that is an excuse. I think certain teams, matchups are everything. Iโm a big believer in matchups. If I had to do it over again, I would have played a 2-3 zone and stood in it. They couldnโt have been any worse than our man.โ
on UCLAโs defense against Minnesota, in particular in the first half
โWe got lost immediately. That being said, it's just a bad matchup for the type of defenders we have โ it really is. Obviously, they are 11-4, now 12-4 [at home]. It was a bad matchup for Iowa, Michigan State, and Indiana, too. We have struggled with it all year. Itโs not all effort, itโs really not all effort, itโs defensive ability. Thatโs the difference in this era, when you donโt have guys for periods of time to turn them into effective defenders. Youโre not rolling guys out there who have been in your system for three, four or five years, with redshirts and stuff like that. I think you are seeing it all over. If you look at college basketball, scoring is way up and the numbers, and I think itโs a byproduct of what Iโm telling you.โ
UCLA senior Tyler Bilodeau
on Minnesotaโs offense
โThey were running a zone, did a good job moving and talking and getting to guys. Just trying to find openings. Second half, just more attentive to things.โ
on Minnesotaโs offense in the second half, and game-planning for that
โI think that is what we scouted for. They made some tough shots. We have to do better at fighting through screens and switching. Also, canโt let any points in the paint, against a team like that when they are that hot from three.โ
on the Bruins playing two more games in Los Angeles (one at home, one at USC)
โGood, looking forward to it.โ
ย