Mick Cronin was careful not to throw any of his own players under the bus after UCLA's 64-61 loss to Minnesota, but the Bruins head coach is clearly frustrated. The loss was tough enough, but it was how the Bruins lost that made it difficult for Cronin to stomach.

Following an embarrassing collapse at home versus Minnesota, which saw the Bruins blow a 17-point lead and lose 64-61 after shooting 5-of-15 from the free throw line in the second half, Cronin directed his frustrations at Pauley Pavilion.

With some inspired play in the opening minutes, Mick Cronin’s players heeded his warning about Minnesota’s being better than its crummy record. They played suffocating defense, forcing four shot-clock violations before halftime. They shut down the Golden Gophers’ top player, holding Dawson Garcia to five points by the game’s midpoint.

Mick Cronin is one win away from his 500th career victory, and it doesn't sound like he's planning to achieve win No. 600 at Indiana or any other school.

From the way he coached to what he said after the game, UCLA coach Mick Cronin’s pseudo-audition for the Indiana job went well.