UCLA coach Mick Cronin tossed at Maryland, rips officials - ESPN

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Three days after ripping his team following a home loss to Michigan, UCLA coach Mick Cronin turned his disdain toward the officials.

Cronin was ejected with 5:11 remaining in a 79-61 loss at Maryland on Friday night, and he did not hold back afterward, voicing his displeasure with the officiating and Big Ten scheduling. He was far gentler on his own players than he was earlier in the week, when he called them «soft» and «delusional» after a 19-point defeat by Michigan. This time he felt they were in an unfair situation.

«In defense of my guys, I didn't think we were given any chance to win in the second half,» Cronin said. «I let [official] Jeff Anderson know, I hit the showers.»

Cronin's outburst came with UCLA down nine after Maryland came up with a rebound. He was given two quick technicals and sent on his way.

«I don't remember the last time I had a technical,» he said. «I had enough. I'm sending a message. I'm tired of it. I know we're the outsider and all that — us, SC and Oregon — but that was ridiculous.

»And take nothing away from Maryland, a really good team at home, but you got to defend my players. If you can just mug guys and chop their arms off, throw them out of the way, it's hard to run any offense."

The technical fouls led to a six-point possession for Maryland, and the game became a rout.

«We needed some stronger officials on the game in my opinion, but we needed to be stronger with the ball,» Cronin said. «In defense of my players, we didn't have a lot of time, we had one day to prepare.»

This is UCLA's first season in the Big Ten, along with USC, Oregon and Washington. Difficult travel was a given when those teams joined, and the Bruins are dealing with it now.

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