UCLA Basketball: Best wins of the Mick Cronin Era as head coach of UCLA

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UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin instructs his team against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA used the momentum from their Final Four run the previous season to do well in the 2021-22 season with Cronin leading the Bruins.

518. Final/OT. 77. 479. 86

UCLA 86, Villanova 77 (November 12, 2021): UCLA defeated No. 4 ranked Villanova at Pauley Pavilion, marking the highest-ranked non-conference win for Cornin as the head coach of the Bruins.

474. Final. 67. 518. 56

UCLA 67, Marquette 56 (December 11, 2021): Cronin and his Bruins got another signature non-conference win as this one was unique because UCLA won on the road against a well-known opponent. This was also the second straight win against the Golden Eagles as well as UCLA defeated them last season as well. The win against Marquette was the Bruin’s eighth win of the season.

511. 75. 518. Final. 59

UCLA 75, Arizona 59 (January 25, 2022): UCLA defeated the No. 3 ranked Wildcats at home for a signature win for Cronin and the Bruins over a highly ranked in-conference opponent. The win gave UCLA a 14-2 overall record at the time of their win over Arizona.

518. Final. 68. 519. 75

UCLA 75, USC 68 (March 5, 2022): Cronin and UCLA defeated No. 16 ranked USC. The victory over the Trojans snapped a five-game losing skid against USC with this victory being the first win in the series since Feb. 28, 2019, for the Bruins over the Trojans. The win over USC was the first for Cronin as he and the Bruins had lost previous games against USC since he became the head coach of UCLA.

Final. 69. 518. 59. 519

UCLA 69, USC 59 (March 11, 2022): The Bruins defeated the Trojans for a second straight time as Cronin and UCLA beat USC by double digits in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals game. The victory allowed the Bruins to advance and earn their first trip back to the Pac-12 title game since winning it back in 2014.

UCLA 72, St. Mary’s 56 (March 19, 2022): The Bruins defeated the Gaels and advanced to their second straight Sweet Sixteen appearance. Unfortunately, Cronin and UCLA would be upset by No. 8 seed North Carolina in their Sweet Sixteen match-up to end their season.