UCLA Coach Ejects Own Player After Technical Foul in Blowout Loss

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In UCLA's 82-59 loss to No. 15 Michigan State, Bruins head coach Mick Cronin ejected his own player, Steven Jamerson II, after Jamerson was called for a technical foul following a hard foul on a Spartans player. The incident occurred with 4:26 left in the game and UCLA trailing by 27 points. Cronin was visibly upset with Jamerson's actions and immediately pulled him from the game, signaling for a staff member to take him to the locker room.

Why it matters

The incident highlighted the frustration Cronin and the Bruins were feeling during the blowout loss, which dropped them to 9-6 in Big Ten play and left them hovering near the NCAA Tournament bubble. Cronin and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo are longtime friends, adding an unusual backdrop to the confrontation between the coaches' players.

The details

With UCLA trailing 77-50, Jamerson chased down Michigan State's Carson Cooper on a fast break and delivered a hard foul at the rim. After the whistle, Jamerson turned toward Cooper, drawing a technical foul. Cronin then yanked Jamerson off the court, grabbed his jersey, and told a staff member to "Get him out" and send Jamerson to the locker room.

• With 4:26 left in the game, Jamerson was called for a technical foul.
• Jamerson finished the game with 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 8 minutes off the bench.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Bruins face Illinois, another top-15 team, at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, before rounding out the regular season against USC and a surging Nebraska. The Bruins are still hovering near the tournament cut line — and there's little margin left.