UCLA Stunned by Eastern Washington, Coach Cronin Blames “Arrogance” adn lack of Effort
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UCLA suffered a surprising 80-74 defeat at the hands of Eastern Washington on November 3, 2025, at Pauley Pavilion, prompting a scathing self-critique from head coach Mick cronin, who openly questioned his team’s attitude and preparedness. The loss, despite UCLA’s superior talent, exposed meaningful flaws in the Bruins’ defense and a concerning lack of humility, according to Cronin.
Cronin didn’t mince words in his postgame remarks, placing the blame squarely on himself and his players. He acknowledged Eastern Washington’s competitive spirit, praising their head coach Dan Monson and the team’s resilience, but emphasized that UCLA’s performance was unacceptable. “When you have the wrong attitude in life,it shows up,” a visibly frustrated Cronin stated. He confessed to anticipating the outcome, citing a growing sense of arrogance and lack of humility within the team.
The coach lamented a defensive performance that allowed Eastern Washington to shoot 54% from the field and score 38 points in the paint. “I’d like to fire myself for our defense,” he declared, adding that he had attempted to address the issue in practice, but ultimately failed to instill the necessary mindset. He pointed to a series of tactical failures, including poor pick-and-roll defense, incorrect rotations, and a general lack of adherence to the scouting report.
Exhibition Wins Breed Complacency
Cronin believes earlier, easier wins against San Diego State and UC Irvine inadvertently fostered a sense of complacency. “I lost them with three easy exhibition games,” he explained.”I knew I lost them. I could tell I lost them all week.” He fears the team mistakenly believed their talent alone would guarantee success, leading to a critical lapse in effort and focus. “If you think you’re going to give up 53.7 percent in your own gym in a buy game and have a good year, there’s no chance,” he asserted.
Players Acknowledge Mindset Issues
UCLA senior guard Donovan Dent echoed Cronin’s concerns, admitting the team entered the game with the expectation of an easy victory. “we kind of just came out with the mindset that we were going to come in here and blow them out. That’s what caused this game,” Dent said. he acknowledged the team’s veteran status should have ensured a more professional approach,regardless of previous results. Dent also self-critiqued his own offensive performance, noting he took 17 shots and should have been more focused on ball movement.
Senior forward Tyler Bilodeau concurred with the assessment of a lackluster performance, stating, “We didn’t come out with enough fight and too many points given up in the paint.” He emphasized the need for improved rebounding and overall cohesion. Cronin indicated that drastic measures are on the table, stating, “We’ll just bench guys. We’re going to play defense or you won’t play.”
Eastern Washington Capitalizes on UCLA’s Struggles
Eastern Washington head coach Dan Monson acknowledged UCLA’s talent, predicting they would be a top-10 team by season’s end. However,he also highlighted his team’s ability to exploit UCLA’s defensive weaknesses. “They [UCLA] are just too big and strong for us,” Monson said, “but we had no answer for [Donovan] Dent.” He also noted his team is still finding its identity after losing its best player for the season.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Accountability
The defeat serves as a stark wake-up call for the Bruins. Cronin’s postgame comments were a clear indication that significant changes are needed, both in terms of on-court performance and team mentality. The coach’s willingness to shoulder the blame underscores the gravity of the situation, and the team’s response in Wednesday’s practice will be crucial in determining whether they can overcome this early-season setback and live up to their potential.
