LOS ANGELES — We’re 40 minutes into the UCLA basketball season and Mick Cronin is already displeased.

And for good reason.

In Monday night’s season opener against Eastern Washington, UCLA’s perimeter defense was listless and its rim protection non-existent. The Bruins’ guards stood straight up and were half-hearted on close outs. Their big men were late in help defense and baited by pump fakes. They allowed 38 points in the paint.

When Donovan Dent missed a wide-open dunk attempt in the second half, Cronin bit his lip. When Skyy Clark dribbled the ball off his foot, he threw up his hands in disbelief.

Cronin never fully broke, but he seemingly wanted to as No. 12 UCLA (1-0) sputtered throughout an 80-74 win.

If the Bruins felt good about themselves after a pair of convincing exhibitio

See Full Page