UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. drives to the basket as Sacramento State forward Shaqir O’Neal defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) reacts towards guard Brandon Williams (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) dribbles against Sacramento State guard Mikey Williams (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State guard Prophet Johnson (16) drives against UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) drives against Sacramento State guard Taj Glover, left, as UCLA head coach Mick Cronin, right, and the referee, left, watch during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State head coach Mike Bibby looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State guard Mikey Williams dribbles the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. looks on before an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Donovan Dent, left, drives to the basket against Sacramento State guard Jahni Summers (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) takes a 3-point shot as Sacramento State forward Shaqir O’Neal (8), back right, watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Trent Perry gestures on the floor after making a three point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr., top, and guard Trent Perry celebrate after a 3-point basket during the first half of their victory over Sacramento State on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State guard Mikey Williams (1) shoots against UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) as Sacramento State forward Mark Lavrenov, left, watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State guard Mikey Williams looks on before an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5) shoots against Sacramento State forward Mark Lavrenov (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State forward Jeremiah Cherry (9) reacts after an injury as UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau, left, guard Skyy Clark (55), and center Steven Jamerson II, right, watch during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) reacts from the bench during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Eric Freeny (8) drives to the basket against Sacramento State forward Brandon Gardner, back right, as UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) and Sacramento State forward Shaqir O’Neal (8) watch during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Donovan Dent, front left, draws a foul against Sacramento State guard Mikey Williams, back right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State forward Shaqir O’Neal, center, passes the ball against UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau, right, as guard Donovan Dent (2) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots against Sacramento State forward Mark Lavrenov (32) drives during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State head coach Mike Bibby walks on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) dribbles against Sacramento State guard Prophet Johnson (16) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) interacts with UCLA head coach Mick Cronin, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) shoots a free throw during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5) drives against Sacramento State forward Mark Lavrenov (32) as guard Arman Madi (23) and guard Jayden Teat (5) watch during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau looks on before an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA center Xavier Booker (1) drives against Sacramento State forward Mark Lavrenov, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State forward Mark Lavrenov, left, dribbles against UCLA center Xavier Booker, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) shoots a free throw during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State forward Jeremiah Cherry (9) looks on with the ball against UCLA center Steven Jamerson II, center, as UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) dribbles against Sacramento State guard Taj Glover, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Skyy Clark, left, dives for the ball against Sacramento State guard Prophet Johnson, third from left, as UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) and guard Jamar Brown, right, watch during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Trent Perry reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots a free throw during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State guard Prophet Johnson, center, drives to the basket against UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5), center Xavier Booker, back center, and guard Jamar Brown (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) waves a towel during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
UCLA guard Trent Perry, center, reacts on the bench alongside guard Eric Freeny, left, and guard Brandon Williams, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Sacramento State Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Sacramento State head coach Mike Bibby, left, and UCLA head coach Mick Cronin, right, gesture before an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
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UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. drives to the basket as Sacramento State forward Shaqir O’Neal defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
LOS ANGELES — Once again, UCLA’s Mick Cronin proved to be exactly who the college basketball stratosphere thinks he is. A harsh, fickle, no-nonsense head coach.
This should have been an ordinary Tuesday night in November, an unassuming nonconference game against Sacramento State. With Cronin, expect the unexpected. He shook things up, altering four of the five spots in the starting lineup.
“They pay me to win games and I thought that was the lineup that was ready to play tonight,” Cronin explained after the game.
If that’s the case, there will be no interruption to his paychecks as No. 19 UCLA cruised to a 79-48 victory over Sacramento State. There might, however, be issues if he had pulled this stunt against No. 4 Arizona last Friday or a Big Ten opponent later this season.
“I don’t believe in messages,” Cronin insisted.
Albeit, there was little risk in sending one to his starters while playing Sacramento State (3-3). His decision, he said, was made because the reserves outscored the starters by 20 points in practice. So he put them on the court first, alongside Eric Dailey Jr., who according to Cronin, took it to heart, and ultimately responded, leading UCLA with a double-double on Tuesday (15 points and 10 rebounds).
“I thought they were going to give us the best chance to get off to a great start,” Cronin said.
Indeed, the new-look starting lineup jumped out to a 13-0 lead. Jamar Brown drew an and-one opportunity off a nifty Euro-step in transition. Trent Perry drew an and-one on a late-shot clock 3-pointer.
Then, one-by-one, the normal starters checked in, but it took until the 12:37 mark of the first half for Donovan Dent to see the floor. On his first touch, he found Skyy Clark for a corner 3-pointer.
His first points of the game, however, didn’t come until the 15:03 mark of the second half on an and-one layup. He missed that free throw. He missed the front-end of another pair of freebies minutes later. He missed both attempts at the line on his next trip.
His body language and effort was disconcerting. Either he didn’t feel the need to exert extra energy because of the competition level or he’s still recovering from the muscle strain and illness that have limited his practice time and kept him out of UCLA’s game against West Georgia.
Whatever the reason, UCLA’s top transfer wasn’t himself, and hasn’t been all season.
After trailing 22-4, Sacramento briefly cut the margin to 13, but UCLA kicked back into gear. Brown knocked down a 3-pointer, then found Xavier Booker Jr. for a layup.
The Bruins finished the first half with 33 deflections, a mark largely buoyed by the reserves-turned-starters – including five from Steven Jamerson II despite playing just 10 minutes before sustaining an ankle injury.
“I’m proud of the guys that started,” Dailey said.
Cronin would have been pleased with that deflection count over a full 40 minutes against a Big Ten team.
That satisfaction didn’t last, though, because in the second half, when he reinstated his normal starting lineup, that group allowed an instant 5-0 run from the Hornets. A hockey-style shift ensued. The Hornets ultimately scored nine unanswered points before Dailey broke the surge with a putback layup.
UCLA recorded just nine deflections in the second half. The Bruins finished with 15 turnovers. They allowed 13 offensive rebounds to a Big Sky team whose tallest rotation player is 6-foot-8.
Cronin might claim he wasn’t sending a message, but the majority of his roster could use it to find their spark.
Perry certainly doesn’t need the ignition. He plays with a joy and motor that can act as an example for his teammates.
After scoring just three points against Arizona, he resumed his string of positive play, scoring 11 points as he took advantage of another increased opportunity.
Perry’s development has been one of the few positives five games into UCLA’s season. As has Booker’s, who continued to improve in his adjustment to playing center. Dailey, too, demonstrated why he remained in the starting five – with his play, but moreso through his leadership. He offered uplifting words, praising each of the four new starters. He met Cronin’s antics head on, having the discipline to heed them.
“Applying what he says really works,” Dailey said. “He really knows what he’s talking about. He’s a great coach. He’s not going to ask us to do nothing we’re not capable of.”
Clearly, Dailey’s normal running-mates didn’t prove that capability. Or else they would have continued to start alongside him.
Only time will tell if they return to those spots. But they’ll certainly have to earn them back because, message or not Cronin has made it clear, starting is a privilege not a right.
“My feeling is you better start the lineup that’s going to play the best defense possible and not turn the ball over,” he said. “We’re searching.”