UCLA's Cronin points blame on refs after Sweet 16 loss to Gonzaga
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin didn't hold back his feelings after his team fell to Gonzaga deep in the NCAA Tournament in heartbreaking fashion for the second time in the last three seasons.
"Lot of open shots didn't go down. There's no hindsight. Wide-open shots and multiple times we got fouled, no call," Cronin told reporters, including USA Today's Dan Wolken, after the 79-76 defeat.
Cronin added: "Dave (Singleton) and Tyger (Campbell) didn't get a basket in the second half, and they had good looks. And Jaime (Jaquez) got murdered on four layups, no calls."
Jaquez attempted 22 2-pointers in the game but was only sent to the free-throw line on two occasions. He scored 17 of the Bruins' 30 second-half points as they only mustered nine field goals after halftime.
On the other side, though, Gonzaga star Drew Timme took 23 2-point attempts and only six total free throws. In an up-and-down game, both teams committed just 15 fouls each, leading to only 33 combined free throws.
Still, after dropping a game due to one of the most electric shots in recent March Madness memory, Cronin summed up his thoughts on the contest.
"It took a 35-footer, a really great player in Drew Timme, and a very tough whistle to send us home," he said, per Fox Sports' John Fanta.