With 4:26 remaining in UCLA’s eventual 82-59 dismantling of No. 15 Michigan State, Jamerson — who as a freshman at East Lansing in 2020 was unsuccessful in his bid to make the team or become a student manager — was whistled for a technical foul after facing Spartan big man Carson Cooper following a foul on a breakaway dunk.
In what appeared to be the breaking point for Cronin, the seven-year UCLA coach yanked Jamerson off the field, grabbed a handful of his jersey on the sideline and barked at a Bruins staffer, “Get him out,” signaling the locker room. Cronin was visibly seething as his team appeared to sleepwalk through a drubbing, falling to 9-6 in Big Ten play.
The series started with UCLA trailing 77-50. Cooper leaked in transition and Jamerson chased him down and delivered a hard foul at the rim. After the whistle, Jamerson turned to Cooper and drew a Class A technical. Cooper converted the ensuing free throw and Jamerson’s night ended moments later in the locker room.
Watch: UCLA HC Mick Cronin appeared to eject his own player, Steven Jamerson II, after fouling Carson Cooper on the fast break.
Jamerson contacted Cooper and was given a technical assessment before Cronin signaled him to get off the floor. pic.twitter.com/gv6e2bcS4o
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) February 18, 2026
In eight minutes off the bench, Jamerson finished with two points, two rebounds and two assists. Cronin’s decision did little to change the outcome — Michigan State had long since taken control with a 20-point halftime cushion behind a 31-5 first-half surge and went from there — but it crystallized UCLA’s disjointed performance Tuesday night.
The moment unfolded against an unusual backdrop. Cronin and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo have long been friends, and Cronin told reporters a few days before the game that he hoped to have dinner with Izzo on Sunday.
“Coach Izzo, in my opinion, is the best ambassador for college basketball,” Cronin said. “And the fact that he respects me enough to take my calls and be friends with me means a lot to me. It’s like a milestone in my career.”
They did indeed eat — Izzo told NBC’s John Fanta that they had pizza, although Cronin was also offered hot dogs as an appetizer.
The Bruins face Illinois, another top 15 team, on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion before closing out the regular season against USC and surging Nebraska. The Bruins are still hovering around the edge of the tournament – with little margin left.
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