Mick Cronin on officiating in UCLA-Arizona game: 'I'm not getting fined'
Mick Cronin was less than pleased with the performance of his team in a 58-52 loss to Arizona on Saturday. But he was equally upset with the performance from the stipes throughout the game.
In that, he wasn’t alone. The officiating crew that handled the game was on blast all afternoon from both sides.
Cronin was particularly incensed right after the game tipped off. What looked like a block from Bruin big man Adem Bona was ruled a blocking foul on UCLA’s second defensive possession of the game.
“I can’t wait to hear Jay Bilas on the film. You know, people tune in to see Adem Bona play and the first play of the game you guys saw the same block I saw,” Cronin told reporters after. “It is what it is. I’m not getting fined, just so you know.”
Mick Cronin: "I can’t wait to hear Jay Bilas on the film. You know, people tune in to see Adem Bona play and the first play of the game you guys saw the same block I saw. It is what it is. I’m not getting fined, just so you know."
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) January 21, 2023
Asked directly if he was surprised by the physicality with which Arizona played on defense, Cronin quickly responded with a “no.”
Arizona attacked UCLA’s bigs to try and force the issue. Both Bona and Kenneth Nwuba had four fouls apiece.
In terms of trying to legislate the physicality, fans on both sides felt the officiating crew of Tony Padilla, Frank Harvey III, and Michael Greenstein failed.
Arizona had its own gripe late in the game after a controversial goaltending call on Bona was waved off.
“I didn’t get any explanation other than that it wasn’t goaltending,” Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd said. “I might have liked a foul on the first dunk, but they didn’t call it, so you can’t review that. And they claimed there wasn’t a foul, so they’re probably right.”
It was a mid-day tip-off on ABC, so it was only natural that a Pac-12 athletic event feature some ref controversy.
Here’s some of the reaction from social media:
https://twitter.com/equitybruin/status/1616893992775344130?s=20&t=yJCi5T2ILFyzeDuL9t94sA
UCLA is blatantly fouling and the refs aren’t calling any of it. Ridiculous.
— AZ Band Cat Sports (@AZBandCatSports) January 21, 2023
I will say this: these refs sure are letting Arizona and UCLA duke it out in the paint. Letting A LOT get away.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) January 21, 2023
Remember when UCLA couldn't play Oregon because there were not enough Pac-12 refs? Turns out they should have played a doubleheader. This is ridiculous.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) January 21, 2023
Bizarre first half ends with Arizona leading UCLA 26-23. Mick Cronin let one ref have a peace of his mind on the way off the court. Wildcats winning with free throws, have made 10-12 to UCLA's 4-6.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) January 21, 2023
Refs and Arizona against UCLA today. Gotta figure out a way to pull this out. Bona is gonna need a big 2nd half.
— UCLA Nation (@UCLA_Nation) January 21, 2023
These refs going to foul out entire UCLA team at this point my lord
— Dr Keeneland Dan (@fatbaldguyracin) January 21, 2023
refs maybe a small factor, but this was maybe the most both-ways-shitty the refs have ever been in a UCLA/Arizona game in McKale
— David Woods (@daviddavidwoods) January 21, 2023
Pac-12 refs have made sure their presence is known in this #UCLA–#Arizona game.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) January 21, 2023
I don't think Pac-12 refs understand what travels or flops are.
— Sam Connon (@SamConnon) January 21, 2023