Mick Cronin out vs. Alabama State due to COVID protocols

UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin has entered the COVID protocols. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA coach Mick Cronin out vs. Alabama State due to COVID-19 protocols

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/15/21

The No. 4-ranked UCLA Bruins will be without a familiar face when they host the Alabama State Hornets later on Wednesday night.

UCLA confirmed via a statement that head coach Mick Cronin isn't working Wednesday's game in-person due to COVID-19 protocols. Associate head coach Darren Savino is handling Cronin's standard game-day duties:

An update from the UCLA men's basketball program. pic.twitter.com/fLjrptNuoy
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) December 15, 2021

According to ESPN and The Associated Press, spokesman Alex Timiraos offered no additional update on Cronin.

Following Wednesday's contest, the 8-1 Bruins are set to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday. It's unclear if Cronin will be able to travel for that matchup.

The Bruins began Wednesday on a four-game winning steak that includes a forfeit Pac-12 victory over the Washington Huskies on Dec. 5 due to coronavirus issues impacting the Huskies. UCLA then notched a win over the Marquette Golden Eagles last Saturday.

"When it comes to the COVID stuff, pray everybody's OK, hope it just doesn't become a massive problem," Cronin said after a victory over the Colorado Buffaloes on Dec. 1, per Sam Connon of All Bruins.

Cronin added at that time: "It seems to be becoming a problem. I've seen a lot of NBA guys dealing with it. It's unfortunate, we all need to be careful, everybody get their extra shot, do everything you can."

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