Mick Cronin addresses growth of UCLA after Arizona State win

UCLA hoops scored a pair of massive wins for the momentum of their season, snapping a four-game losing streak to earn wins at home vs. Washington and at Arizona State in their last two outings.

Although, after the comeback victory in Tempe, Mick Cronin suggested that worrying less about the result in win or loss terms has actually helped the team play a bit freer in their most recent performances.

“I’ve been working with these guys on having fortitude and bounce in their step and not worrying about missed shots — and not worrying about the result,” he explained, noting the importance of that attitude with younger players. “Like, I’m happy with the result. My job is to help all these guys get better and they’re super young. So, they’re going to get better.”

With so many freshmen and underclassmen on the roster, Coach Cronin isn’t interested in any victory laps in the middle of conference play, even after a strong week.

“I don’t believe one game turns it around. I told you we’re still grossly inexperienced,” he added. “Saturday is going to be another brutal test and we just got to continue – I’m trying to make it about the guys on the team. Not about me.”

This weekend’s matchup is just about the toughest possible for a Pac-12 team this season as the Bruins will make the short bus ride from Tempe to Tucson to play at Arizona, thus completing their road trip in the Grand Canyon State. That game could very well result in a UCLA loss, and by a lot. Although, again, Cronin doesn’t want results, good or bad, to sway his team’s mindset.

“I’m going to coach them hard and try to get them better. They have to improve. So, for me, it’s about them,” he said. “Right now, it’s about them and we try to help them get better. They’re all great kids. They’re just young and inexperienced. We’ve been on a charmed ride. Tough run this year. It is what it is. Great kids on the team.”

Good to see a bit of positivity, especially towards the players, from Mick Cronin after a year that has certainly been tough on him and the program. Now, a win AT Arizona would really show that this UCLA team is hitting its stride, even if they still have a mountain to climb in order to compete for an NCAA Tournament berth.