UCLA Coach Calls for More Funding to Boost March Madness Success

Mick Cronin says the Bruins need "about 5 more million (dollars)" to advance deeper in the NCAA Tournament.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 5:50am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After UCLA's early exit from the 2026 NCAA Tournament, head coach Mick Cronin bluntly stated that the program needs significantly more funding, around $5 million, to have a deeper run in March Madness. Cronin cited the impact of NIL deals and the need for a salary cap in college basketball as factors that have made it increasingly difficult for programs like UCLA to compete at the highest level.

Why it matters

Cronin's comments highlight the growing financial arms race in college basketball, where top programs are spending heavily on NIL deals and other recruiting incentives to land elite talent. This has put pressure on mid-major and smaller programs to keep up, making it challenging for traditional powerhouses like UCLA to maintain their dominance without major financial investments.

The details

UCLA was eliminated in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, losing to Connecticut 73-57. The Bruins trailed by only five points at halftime, but the Huskies pulled away in the second half. UCLA was without its leading scorer, Tyler Bilodeau, who was sidelined due to a knee injury. Cronin's blunt response when asked what needs to change for the program to have a deeper March Madness run was, "I'd like about 5 more million (dollars)."

  • UCLA was eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament on March 23, 2026.

The players

Mick Cronin

The head coach of the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team.

Tyler Bilodeau

UCLA's leading scorer who was sidelined due to a knee injury for the loss against Connecticut.

Xavier Booker

Led UCLA with 13 points and 5 rebounds in the loss to Connecticut.

Donovan Dent

Added 11 points and 9 assists for UCLA in the loss.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'd like about 5 more million (dollars)”

— Mick Cronin, Head Coach, UCLA Bruins

What’s next

Cronin and the UCLA administration will likely need to evaluate their budget and explore ways to increase funding for the men's basketball program in order to be more competitive in the NCAA Tournament going forward.

The takeaway

Cronin's blunt comments highlight the growing financial challenges facing even elite college basketball programs like UCLA, as the rise of NIL deals and the lack of a salary cap have created an uneven playing field that requires major investments to remain competitive at the highest levels of the sport.