Mick Cronin takes drastic measure vs. UCLA forward during heated clash vs. Michigan State originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Breslin Center wasn't kind to the UCLA Bruins Tuesday night in East Lansing, as the No.15-ranked Michigan State Spartans took care of business in a big way with an 82-59 win to remain alive in the discussion for a bye in the Big Ten Tournament next month.
But when zooming out upon review of the lopsided momentum-building win for coach Tom Izzo's Spartans, it was Bruins coach Mick Cronin who made himself the center of attention once again. He did so this past year during the Big Teen Tournament after a 16-point loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in Indianapolis, acting irate regarding the Big Ten's cooling-off period.
This time, though, Cronin may have outdone himself as he opted to eject his own player, Steven Jamerson II, after being issued a technical foul after jawing with Carson Cooper of Michigan State after Cooper missed his opportunity to secure a layup.
It ultimately didn't matter after all, at least in terms of the outcome.
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Watch: UCLA HC Mick Cronin appeared to eject his own player, Steven Jamerson II, after he committed a foul on Carson Cooper on the fast break.
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) February 18, 2026
Jamerson squared up with Cooper, was assessed a technical before Cronin signaled for him to get off the floor. pic.twitter.com/gv6e2bcS4o
Then, Jamerson II, who averages 2.2 points per game this season, lost it as Cronin looked on from the bench. Words were exchanged as the referees intervened, but the cycle of madness had only begun.
Whether it was to teach Jamerson II a lesson in humbleness, humility, or otherwise, Cronin got his point across. Jamerson II approached Cronin, who motioned Jamerson II to leave the bench with no questions asked.
An ejection, except it wasn't issued by the officials.
Social media had mixed reactions to the ordeal, but the New York Post's Erich Richter may have summed it up best.
"Mick Cronin should apologize for this postgame," Richter tweeted. "He looks like a clown here."
The loss puts the Bruins (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten) in a challenging spot to finish with a respectable placement in the conference standings, as their own mid-tier logjam is around them. Meanwhile, the Spartans (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten) improved to 13-2 at home.
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The game between the Spartans and Bruins was the only head-to-head meeting between the two programs this season.
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