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UCLA men's basketball coach Mick Cronin was ejected during the Bruins' 79-61 defeat against Maryland. The coach received two technical fouls after expressing his frustration with the referees and the team's performance. Following the game, Cronin voiced his concerns, stating, `It's really hard to coach people who are delusional. The hungry dog gets the bone. We got guys who think they're way better than they are.` This loss marks the Bruins' third consecutive defeat, all against Big Ten opponents, leaving them with a 2-3 record in conference play.

The Bruins have struggled significantly, having already dropped to No. 22 in the AP Top 25 poll earlier this week, and this latest loss could see them fall out of the rankings entirely. The team's performance against Maryland was characterized by poor defense and a staggering 21 turnovers, underscoring the urgent need for improvement if they hope to be serious contenders for the NCAA tournament.

Meanwhile, Virginia is gearing up to face Stanford on January 11th at Maples Pavilion. This matchup will be crucial for the Cavaliers, particularly in testing their front court against Stanford's Maxime Raynaud, a standout scorer in college basketball. Virginia's previous game against Cal highlighted their struggles, especially in maximizing their front court's effectiveness on both ends of the floor. Coach Ron Sanchez may consider giving Anthony Robinson an early opportunity to defend Raynaud if Jacob Cofie and Blake Buchanan find themselves in foul trouble again. The outcome of the game against Stanford will be pivotal for Virginia's morale and their aspirations for the NCAA Tournament.

Additionally, Cole Kastner, a former UVA lacrosse All-American defenseman, is now part of the Stanford men's basketball team, although he has seen limited action this season, playing just one minute.

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