East Lansing, Michigan – In a stunning display of disciplinary action, UCLA basketball coach Mick Cronin ejected one of his own players, Steven Jamerson II, during a lopsided loss to Michigan State University on Tuesday night. The incident occurred with approximately four minutes and twenty-six seconds remaining in the game, which the Spartans ultimately won 82-59.
Jamerson, a redshirt senior, was assessed a flagrant foul after making contact with Michigan State’s Carson Cooper from behind during a fast break. Cooper was attempting a dunk when the foul occurred. Cronin immediately directed Jamerson to leave the court and head to the locker room, a move that visibly surprised players and spectators alike.
“You know, true toughness is how you compete and how you go to work every day,” Cronin stated after the game, explaining his decision. “Steve’s a good kid. He made a bad decision. But if you want to be a tough guy, you need to do it during the game, for a blockout, for a rebound. So, I was thoroughly disappointed. The guy was defenseless in the air. I know Steve was trying to block the shot, but the game’s a 25-point game. You don’t do that.”
The ejection took place as Michigan State held a commanding 77-50 lead. The Spartans’ coach, Tom Izzo, expressed surprise at the unusual scene. “I guess he upgraded that to a flagrant 2, huh?” Izzo joked. “That’s the first time I saw a coach do it, but that sounds like Mick. So, he’ll get that straightened out.”
This loss marks the second consecutive defeat by a margin of 20 or more points for UCLA, a situation not seen since the 1944-45 season, according to Sportradar. Prior to these recent setbacks, the Bruins had won five of their previous six games, holding a record of 17-9 overall and 9-6 in Big Ten play.
Despite Jamerson’s ejection, the game highlighted broader offensive struggles for UCLA. The Bruins were outshot by the Spartans 52.7% to 36.8%, and significantly trailed in three-point shooting, 51.9% to 32%. Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. And Coen Carr each contributed 16 points to the Spartans’ victory, with Fears also recording 10 assists.
UCLA’s leading scorer was Tyler Bilodeau, who managed 22 points. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Spartans’ dominant performance. Cronin acknowledged the team’s overall performance, stating simply, “We just got thoroughly outplayed.”
The post-game press conference also saw a tense exchange between Cronin and a reporter. The reporter inquired about the Michigan State student section chanting the name of Xavier Booker, a player who transferred from Michigan State to UCLA last year. Cronin responded sharply, stating, “I would like to give you kudos for the worst question I’ve ever been asked. You should take it. You really think I care about the other team’s student section?” He also accused the reporter of raising his voice.
The incident underscores a growing sense of frustration within the UCLA program, as they navigate a challenging stretch in the Big Ten season. The team’s next challenge is a home game against the No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini on at 8 p.m. EST. Michigan State, now 21-5 and 11-4 in the Big Ten, will host the Ohio State Buckeyes on at 1 p.m. EST.
Jamerson’s prior connection to Michigan State adds another layer to the incident. He was a student at the university in 2021-22 and attempted to join the Spartans’ basketball program as a walk-on and later as a manager, a detail noted by several outlets covering the game.
