The Breslin Center was anything but welcoming for the UCLA Bruins on Tuesday night. The No. 15-ranked Michigan State Spartans dominated with an 82-59 victory, keeping their hopes alive for a bye in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.
While the Spartans were riding high on their momentum-building win, it was UCLA's coach, Mick Cronin, who stole the spotlight. Known for his fiery demeanor, Cronin made headlines last year after a heated reaction to a loss against Wisconsin. This time, he took it a step further by ejecting his own player, Steven Jamerson II, following a technical foul during a spat with Michigan State's Carson Cooper.
The incident unfolded when Jamerson squared off with Cooper after a missed layup attempt. The referees assessed a technical, and Cronin quickly signaled Jamerson to leave the court, making his point loud and clear. The exchange was intense, with words flying and referees stepping in to manage the situation.
Cronin's decision to remove Jamerson seemed to be a lesson in humility, as he directed the player to exit the bench without further discussion. The ejection, though unofficial, stirred up mixed reactions across social media.
Despite the drama, the loss leaves the Bruins (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten) in a tricky position within the conference standings, surrounded by a tight mid-tier pack. On the other hand, the Spartans (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten) bolstered their impressive home record to 13-2.
This matchup marked the only meeting between the Spartans and Bruins this season, and it certainly left a lasting impression.
Stay tuned for more college basketball updates as the season unfolds.