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Mick Cronin Goes for Win No. 500 as UCLA Hosts Minnesota
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin is on the brink of a career milestone as the Bruins prepare to take on Minnesota in Big Ten action Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
The 53-year-old coach is set to claim his 500th career victory, adding another impressive achievement to his 21-year coaching career. The Bruins (19-7, 10-5 Big Ten) are in top form, winning eight of their past nine games and boasting a 13-1 record at home.
Meanwhile, Minnesota (13-12, 5-9 Big Ten) has turned its season around after a rough start, winning five of its past eight games, including an impressive 69-66 road victory over USC on Saturday.
Mick Cronin’s Career Milestone
Cronin’s 499 career wins have come across three programs:
- Murray State (2003-06): 69 wins
- Cincinnati (2006-19): 296 wins
- UCLA (2019-present): 134 wins
His father, Hep Cronin, traveled from the Midwest to attend the game, surprising Cronin with the news of his impending milestone.
“I was wondering why he was coming to this one and not the Michigan State game,” Cronin said. “Now I know.”
Cronin admitted he never imagined reaching 500 career wins when he took his first head coaching job at Murray State in 2003.
“When you’re young, you’re thinking, can I get a job and make enough money before I get fired?” he joked. “How do I survive?”
Now, he stands among the winningest active coaches in college basketball.
UCLA’s Defense is Fueling Its Late-Season Surge
The Bruins have found success with their tenacious defense, ranking:
- No. 23 nationally in scoring defense (64.8 PPG allowed)
- No. 6 in turnover margin (+5.3)
Offensively, Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA with 14.2 points per game, while the team has found better rhythm in recent weeks.
Minnesota’s Late-Season Turnaround
After starting 0-6 in Big Ten play, Minnesota has won five of its past eight games.
The Golden Gophers’ latest win at USC was powered by Lu’Cye Patterson, who scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half.
Coach Ben Johnson praised Patterson’s resilience, saying:
“He never lost focus. We knew, and he knew, it was only a matter of time. Now he’s ready to roll.”
Meanwhile, Dawson Garcia has been Minnesota’s most consistent player, leading the team in:
- Scoring (19.2 PPG)
- Rebounding (7.4 RPG)
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Key Matchups to Watch
| Category | UCLA | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 19-7 (10-5 Big Ten) | 13-12 (5-9 Big Ten) |
| PPG Leader | Tyler Bilodeau (14.2) | Dawson Garcia (19.2) |
| Rebounds Leader | Aday Mara (7.1) | Garcia (7.4) |
| Assists Leader | Dylan Andrews (4.2) | Lu’Cye Patterson (3.8) |
Can UCLA Extend Its Hot Streak?
UCLA holds a 5-2 all-time advantage in this matchup, but Minnesota won their last meeting in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, routing UCLA 83-63.
With Cronin on the verge of his 500th win and the Bruins on a roll, expect an intense matchup as Minnesota looks to play spoiler in a historic night for UCLA’s coach.
Tip-Off: Tuesday, 9:00 PM ET
Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Big Ten Network
