Westwood, CA- Despite holding a second-half lead against the No. 24 team in the country for their first Big Ten home game of 2025, the UCLA men’s basketball team dropped their first game of the new year to Michigan on Tuesday night.
The Bruins couldn’t overcome their second half offensive woes in the 94-75 loss to Michigan. The Wolverines used a 36-point performance from center Vladislav Goldin to climb to the 19-point win.
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin was appalled by the Bruins effort and was brutally honest with his current feelings about his team.
“Obviously they shot the ball well, but we’re soft. We’re too soft to play hard enough. It’s a five-point game and Kobe Johnson lets a guy take the ball from him – same thing with Sebastian Mack…So just don’t tell me you want to win,” Cronin said. “We’re soft, aside from, to be fair, they have a unique skillset and the way they shoot the ball. But we’re soft.”
Four out of five starters for the Wolverines finished with double-digit points, including the game-high from Goldin.
UCLA had another big game from forward Tyler Bilodeau. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists as he finished shooting 8-15 from the field. The solid offensive night didn’t save him from Cronin commenting on Bilodeau’s defensive performance.
“To start the game, Tyler Bilodeau gave up 12 points. Two screens, he didn’t say a word, and he got dunked on two times,” Cronin added.
Cronin said the Bruins’ mindset has been part of the reason the team has lost their last three of four games.
“So the truth of it is that it’s really hard to coach people that are delusional. The hungry dog gets the bone. We’ve got guys who think they’re way better than they are, they’re nice kids, but they’re completely delusional about who they are,” Cronin said. “The problem is that right now I’m frustrated with my players and my staff and it’s been this way all year with this team.”
UCLA guard Sebastian Mack had one of his best offensive games of the season. He scored 17 points, his third-highest point total he’s scored this season. Mack tacked on seven rebounds in the losing effort.
The first eight minutes of the game belonged to the Wolverines. UCLA fell behind quickly 18-6 as Michigan blitzed the Bruins’ defense to start. The Bruins couldn’t get much going on the offense end as the Wolverines jumped out to a 28-13 lead a few minutes later.
UCLA closed out the first half by closing the lead to ten points. They rode that momentum into the second half where they eventually overcame Michigan and took the lead.
The Bruins took a 55-51 lead with 14:12 left in the second half, but saw their lead dissipate as quickly as it came. Michigan would close out the game on a 43-20 run in the final 14 minutes of the game to overtake the Bruins’ small lead and come away with the win comfortably.
UCLA travels to Maryland on Jan. 10 to take on the Terrapins. The game will be broadcast on FOX and tipoff is at 5 p.m.
