UCLA coach Mick Cronin calls Bruins 'soft' after blowout loss - ESPN

UCLA coach Mick Cronin called his team «soft» and ranted about his anger toward his players and coaches following his team's 94-75 home loss to Michigan on Tuesday night.

Following the game, Cronin publicly berated his team and questioned its toughness.

«Obviously, they shot the ball well,» Cronin said. «But we're soft. We're too soft to play hard enough. Even in the [crucial moments], you can't get a rebound.… So don't tell me you want to win. Just don't tell you want to win. I mean, we're soft. To be fair, they have a unique skill set. But we're soft.»

The Bruins, a minus-1.5 favorite per ESPN BET, were down by double digits at halftime but made a run to take a brief lead in the second half before they squandered that edge. The Bruins have lost three of their past four games and have started their first season in the Big Ten with a 2-2 record. Michigan made 71% of its shots inside the arc and 54% of its 3-point attempts against a UCLA squad ranked fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom.

Cronin said his team needed Tuesday's «humble pie» and added that he can't be «the toughest guy in the room every day.» In the weeks ahead, he said he'll only turn to the players who prove they can win.

«Here's what you do: You play the guys that will play hard and do what you tell them,» Cronin said. «But right now, I'm searching for some guys that'll play hard enough to win a Big Ten game.… It's really hard to coach people that are delusional. The hungry dog gets the bone. We've got guys that think they're way better than they are. They're nice kids. They're completely delusional about who they are.»

Cronin, however, did not reserve his frustration for just the players. He also added that his staff has work to do.

«I have