Mick Cronin crossed a line in UCLA’s loss to Michigan State, and it came at the expense of his own player. With 4:26 remaining, UCLA center and former MSU student Steven Jamerson chased down Carson Cooper from behind in an attempt to block a dunk. Officials ruled the play a flagrant foul, even though the contact hardly appeared malicious. Instead of defending his player or letting the moment pass, Cronin chose to eject Jamerson from the game himself, an unnecessary and humiliating decision in an already decided contest.

What makes the moment more painful is Jamerson’s history. As a freshman, he enrolled at Michigan State, hoping to walk onto the basketball team. He didn’t make the roster. He even tried to become a team manager and was denied again. Rather than quit, Jamerson kept working, eventually earning an opportunity with the San Diego Toreros, where he spent three seasons playing under Steve Lavin. Then he would enter the transfer portal and transfer to UCLA.

So when UCLA’s matchup with Michigan State appeared on the schedule, this wasn’t just another game. It was a return to the place that once turned him away, a chance at personal redemption. Cronin undoubtedly understood that context, which makes his decision to publicly remove Jamerson even more difficult to justify. Coaches are supposed to protect their players, not embarrass them on a national stage, especially when the player is simply competing until the final whistle.

Ahead of the return, Jamerson described how he still has a chip on his shoulder. “It’s going to feel like a full-circle moment, for sure,” he said. “My biggest goal is to showcase that I belong at this high of a level and to prove to those coaches, myself, and everybody in my circle that I can be here, put the work in, and be great at the Power Four level.”

UCLA has fallen well short of expectations this season, dropping its last two games by a combined 53 points. After opening the year at +3500 to win the national championship on DraftKings, the Bruins now sit at +20000.

Cronin defended the move afterward, saying he was “thoroughly disappointed” and that the opposing player was “defenseless in the air,” adding that in a 25-point game, “you don’t do that.” But shouldn’t a coach want effort until the final whistle? Jamerson made a legitimate play on the ball and continued competing despite the score.

Now the question becomes how UCLA’s locker room responds. Moments like this can define trust between a coach and his players, and this one may linger longer than the loss itself.

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