When he met with reporters this week, Mick Cronin threatened to have his gamers observe solely protection given their sustained struggles on that aspect of the ball.
It sounded just like the form of factor a coach would say to place his staff on discover earlier than really following by way of.
Besides Cronin instantly adopted by way of.
“I don’t even assume we ran our offense,” UCLA ahead Eric Dailey Jr. mentioned. “We simply performed straight protection for 2 hours.”
UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) fouls Maryland guard Darius Adams (1) with Bruins ahead Tyler Bilodeau (34) double teaming Adams on protection at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Occasions)
The observe concerned a whole lot of speaking and pointing, gamers directing each other to get in the correct place or rotate over to assist, at all times doing their finest to remain in entrance of the ball.
The outcomes of the brand new strategy had been on show Saturday night, providing a wanted reprieve throughout a 67-55 victory over Maryland. The Bruins contested most pictures and would have gained in blowout trend had they not allowed the Terrapins to seize one offensive rebound after one other.
Maryland completed with an absurd 20 offensive rebounds, resulting in 24 second-chance factors, and it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient to make the ultimate minutes a fear for UCLA (11-5 general, 3-2 Huge Ten) after Trent Perry sparked a 6-0 push with a nook three-pointer to place the sport away.
“If we may rebound,” Cronin mentioned, “we’d win by 30.”
Cronin acknowledged making some defensive changes that helped his staff maintain the Terrapins (7-9, 0-5) to 30.3% taking pictures, together with 18.2% from lengthy vary. Simply don’t count on him to reveal any specifics.
“Basketball coaches bought diarrhea of the mouth — ‘yeah, right here’s what I did, right here’s what we do,’ ” Cronin mentioned, alluding to what coaches typically inform the media. “Why the hell would I let you know? I imply, you actually assume that like [Nick] Saban or [Bill] Belichick or ‘Google me’ [Curt Cignetti] would let you know? I imply, ‘Google me’ ain’t telling you nothing.”
UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) celebrates after the Bruins’ protection pressured Maryland to make a shot clock violation at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
UCLA’s new system additionally featured heightened hustle, notably from Steven Jamerson II. The backup heart had his best across-the-board exhibiting as a Bruin, ending with eight factors, 5 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 23 minutes.
“Steve’s finest recreation by far as a Bruin,” Cronin mentioned of a participant who beforehand had bother staying on the courtroom due to a penchant for rapidly piling up fouls.
Jamerson’s spotlight got here on an offensive rebound that he snagged as he was falling out of bounds however saved by flinging a go to Perry for a three-pointer.
“Attempting to do my finest,” Jamerson mentioned, “to imitate Dennis Rodman.”
A lineup that includes Jamerson and Dailey (15 factors, 9 rebounds) alongside Perry (16 factors, eight deflections, six rebounds) and Donovan Dent (eight factors, seven assists, zero turnovers) helped the Bruins construct an enormous lead within the first half, a welcome change from latest enormous early deficits.
With UCLA in management and Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts tossing T-shirts to courtside followers, it was enjoyable to be a Bruin once more.
A few of the loudest cheers serenaded Roberts, the previous Bruins outfielder who triumphantly hoisted the World Sequence championship trophy over his head throughout a timeout as followers roared.
There have been moments it was simple to neglect the Bruins had been taking part in with out guard Skyy Clark (hamstring) and ahead Brandon Williams (lower-leg damage). Each gamers had been thought-about everyday, which means they may return quickly.
However they had been definitely missed, Cronin saying their absence prevented the Bruins from doing the box-out drills they needed in observe.
Maryland may relate to being short-handed. The Terrapins had been lacking star heart Pharrel Payne, who remained sidelined with a knee damage. They relied closely on ahead Elijah Sanders, who led his staff with 17 factors and 12 rebounds.
It wasn’t practically sufficient given the Bruins appeared a bit extra just like the staff they should be, notably on the defensive finish.
Credit score a observe by which they centered on contesting pictures, not making them. Perhaps it’s one thing they gained’t do exactly as soon as.
“If the remainder of the 12 months gotta be no offense, straight protection,” Dailey mentioned, “so be it, that’s positive.”
