"The guys' minds are on other things": Mick Cronin points at distracted UCLA players after Rutgers upset Bruins

UCLA coach Mick Cronin threw his players under the bus after losing 75-68 to the slumping Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Monday in Piscataway, New Jersey. It was the fourth straight loss by the Bruins and the fifth out of six games since starting the 2024-25 college basketball season with a 10-1 record.

In a post-game interview with reporters, Cronin said his team wasn't playing defense like they used to. He pointed to the surprise wins over heavily favored Arizona and Gonzaga as proof that the Bruins can play high-quality defense when their minds are on the game.

The 53-year-old coach felt that his players were distracted in the last four games, allowing miscues to affect the Bruins' defensive game and overall decision-making, thus resulting in losses.

"The guys minds are on other things," Cronin said. (3:01). "You start thinking: you're winning because of who you are and your talent level. You're winning because of your defense.

"We were always winning because of our defense in this league was in high major leagues. If you can't stop somebody and you give up 45 points you're not going to win." (3:10)

The UCLA coach changed his starting five, putting Lazar Stefanovic in place of Dylan Andrews, who was reportedly sick. Cronin sought higher-percentage shots from the perimeter by promoting Stefanovic to the starting role.

Stefanovic did a good job making 3-of-7, including 2-of-5 from deep. Kobe Johnson also shot well from the perimeter with a 2-of-4 clip. However, the rest of the Bruins lineup was 2-of-10 from long range for a 6-of-19 clip.

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UCLA coach Mick Cronin worried about his family's safety as wildfires continue

UCLA coach Mick Cronin shared that he is worried about his family's safety as the wildfires in Los Angeles continue.

During the interview, Cronin said he hadn't had time to check on his phone. He wanted to go home to make sure that his family was safe.

"It's tough while this is all going on and you're not around your family making sure people are safe. Times like this is really really hard but the your family hadn't had to evacuate. Previously they did but they're okay for now," he said. (4:58)

The Rutgers community, including the Scarlet Knights, observed a moment of silence before the game in support of the victims of the devastating wildfires.

The Bruins will be back in action on Friday at home, playing host to Iowa (12-4, 3-2) in the hope of arresting their current losing skid. The Hawkeyes are on a two-game winning streak after winning over Nebraska and Indiana.