UCLA head coach Mick Cronin didn’t mince words after his team’s second-half collapse against No. 2 Michigan. Standing in the back halls of Crisler Center, still processing what had just unfolded on the court, Cronin delivered a stat that cut straight to the heart of the Bruins’ struggles.
“Worst second-half defensive field goal percentage of my career,” Cronin said, shaking his head. “They’re [18]-for-23.
They shot 78%. Worst of my career.
And I don’t have to look it up, I can promise you that.”
And he didn’t need to. The numbers-and the way Michigan imposed its will after halftime-spoke volumes.
This wasn’t just another strong second-half push from the Wolverines. Yes, they’ve shown a knack lately for flipping the switch when it matters most, but this time, it wasn’t about a quick burst or a handful of clutch plays.
This was a methodical dismantling. A two-point halftime edge ballooned into a blowout, and it didn’t take long after the break for Michigan to make it clear: they were done messing around.
In the first half, Michigan led wire to wire, but it didn’t feel like they were in control. UCLA closed the half on a 7-0 run, trimming what had been a comfortable lead and injecting some life into the Bruins’ bench. But whatever momentum UCLA thought it had, Michigan snatched it away almost instantly after the teams returned from the locker room.
And that’s where the story shifted.
Michigan’s second-half performance was a masterclass in execution-and intensity. They tightened up on the glass, turned up the pressure on defense, and played with a renewed sense of purpose, particularly in their individual matchups. Graduate guard Nimari Burnett broke it down after the game.
“At halftime, we talked about needing to be more physical on the defensive rebounding, better on defense, just taking pride in individual matchups and guards getting downhill in 1-on-1 matchups,” Burnett said. “And that’s exactly what we did. We had each other’s backs out there in the second half.”
That togetherness showed. Michigan didn’t just outplay UCLA-they overwhelmed them.
It was the kind of response that speaks to a team with not just talent, but maturity. They knew they hadn’t played their best basketball in the first half, and they didn’t let that linger.
They came out and took control of the game, piece by piece.
“We knew how much better we could be,” Burnett added. “And it shows the greatness of this team to not play our best basketball but still be up and then just expand the margin.”
It’s that kind of self-awareness-and ability to adjust on the fly-that separates the contenders from the rest of the pack. Michigan is showing signs of being the kind of team that doesn’t need 40 perfect minutes to dominate. Give them a window, and they’ll kick the door down.
For UCLA, it’s back to the drawing board. For Michigan, it’s another reminder to the rest of the country: this team isn’t just winning-they’re evolving.