COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Three days after tearing apart his team following a home loss to Michigan, UCLA coach Mick Cronin directed his disdain at the officials.

Cronin was sent off with 5:11 left in a 79-61 loss at Maryland on Friday night, and he didn’t hold back afterward in voicing his displeasure with the Big Ten’s officiating and scheduling. He was much gentler with his own players than he was earlier in the week, when he called them “soft” and “delusional” after a 19-point loss to Michigan. This time he felt like they were in an unfair situation.

“Defending my guys, I didn’t think we were going to have a chance to win in the second half,” Cronin said. “I let (officer) Jeff Anderson know that I was taking a shower.”

Cronin’s outburst resulted in UCLA dropping nine points after Maryland scored a rebound. He received two quick technical tests and was sent on his way.

“I can’t remember the last time I had a technical problem,” he said. “I had enough. I’m sending a message. I’m tired of it. I know we’re the underdogs and all – us, SC and Oregon – but that was ridiculous.”

“And don’t take anything away from Maryland, a really good team at home, but you have to defend my players. When you can just ambush guys and chop off their arms and throw them out of the way, it’s hard to go on offense.”

The technical fouls resulted in a six-point possession for Maryland and the game ended in a loss.

“I think we needed some stronger referees in the game, but we needed to be stronger with the ball,” Cronin said. “We didn’t have much time to defend my players. We had a day to prepare.”

This is UCLA’s first season in the Big Ten, along with USC, Oregon and Washington. When these teams joined, difficult travel was a given, and the Bruins now struggle with it.

They played at Nebraska on Jan. 4, returned home for a game against Michigan and then headed out for a trip to Maryland and Rutgers.

“We had to travel on a five hour and 50 minute flight. They came home on Sunday. They had two extra days,” Cronin said. “Now Rutgers is sitting at home and they have an extra day. I haven’t planned it all yet, but I really hope it turns our way at some point.”

Following Rutgers’ return, UCLA will play seven straight games on the West Coast from Jan. 17 to Feb. 8 – five home games plus trips to Washington and USC.

“I understand. It’s probably next to impossible to stay on schedule, but I just know it wasn’t good for us,” Cronin said. “Michigan was in LA three days before us.”

This has been an especially tough week given the wildfires that have caused so much chaos in the Los Angeles area. Cronin said after he was kicked out that he quickly checked an app that gives warnings.

“My house is about to be evacuated,” he said. “When I got kicked out, I immediately picked up my phone.”