Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
CRONIN HAS A ROLLERCOASTER OF A WEEK
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin had quite the week.
In the closing minutes of the Bruins’ 82-59 loss to Michigan State in East Lansing on Tuesday, UCLA center Steven Jamerson II committed a hard foul while trying to stop a fastbreak layup from the Spartans. The Bruins’ center was ultimately handed a Flagrant 1 foul for the play, but before the game officials could issue their punishment upon Jamerson, Cronin took matters into his own hands.
After the foul, UCLA HC Mick Cronin ejects his own player, Steven Jamerson III. pic.twitter.com/KOFMCDRYjg
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 18, 2026
Cronin ultimately apologized to Jamerson, and even acknowledged that he may not have even deserved the Flagrant 1 that was applied following the play.
“I thought he literally made a dirty play and tried to wipe the guy out,” Cronin said Friday. “Once I saw the film, I mean, he still got an F-1. To be honest with you, I don't even know if he deserved that."
Although Cronin ejected his own player in the closing minutes of the blowout loss, he also created headlines after the game after a back-and-forth with a reporter regarding the Michigan State student section’s treatment of former Spartan Xavier Booker, who transferred to UCLA ahead of the 2025-26 season.
OMG UCLA HEAD COACH MICK CRONIN LOST MIND AFTER LOSING TO MICHIGAN STATE
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) February 18, 2026
This is one of the funniest videos I have ever seen.
pic.twitter.com/ub5mcHzK66
While Tuesday was a disaster for Cronin and Co., the Bruins had an excellent Saturday. UCLA erased a 23-point deficit to upset No. 10 Illinois 95-94, thanks to a buzzer-beating layup from Donovan Dent.
DONOVAN DENT WINS IT FOR UCLA pic.twitter.com/3XkFpKVk2x
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 22, 2026
A SUPER SATURDAY IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Saturday’s slate in college basketball saw the two matchups between potential No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, with top-ranked Michigan battling No. 3 Duke in Washington, D.C., while No. 2 Houston played host to No. 4 Arizona.
The Blue Devils and Wolverines remained locked in a tight battle throughout the contest, but ultimately Duke proved too much for Michigan, winning 68-63. Star forward Cameron Boozer led the way for Duke, producing 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win.
Sparked by 22 points from guard Anthony Dell’Orso, Arizona handled the Cougars 73-66 in Houston. With the win, the Wildcats gained sole possession of first place in the Big 12, improving to 12-2 in conference play while Houston fell to 11-3.
Outside of those marquee matchups, several upsets also took place with several Top 10 teams falling.
No. 6 Iowa State failed to keep pace with No. 23 BYU, as the Cougars ran away with a 79-69 win in Provo. Sticking in the Big 12, Kansas endured a stunning 84-68 loss to 15-12 Cincinnati at Allen Fieldhouse.
AGUILAR’S COLLEGE CAREER ENDS IN COURT
Former Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar did not have the same luck as his SEC counterpart, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Unlike Chambliss, Aguilar’s bid for an additional year of eligibility failed in court, ultimately ending the Volunteers’ quarterback college football career, sending Tennessee into a quarterback controversy without Aguilar in the fold.
Aguilar sought an injunction from a Tennessee state judge, which would have allowed him to play in 2026, arguing that his two seasons played in junior college should not count toward his four years of eligibility at the Division I level. Aguilar played a pair of seasons at Diablo Valley Community College before playing two seasons at Appalachian State.
The 24-year-old signal caller joined Tennessee last season, where he threw for 3,565 yards and 24 touchdowns while leading the Volunteers to an 8-4 record.
Tennessee is now left with limited options in its quarterback room, which includes Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and incoming freshman Faizon Brandon.
ICYMI
Ohio State President Ted Carter discussed the current NIL model and stressed that changes need to be made in order to preserve college athletics.
Ramzy Nasrallah analyzes the expectations of the Ohio State men’s basketball program.
Ohio State President Ted Carter expressed his support for Buckeyes men’s basketball head coach Jake Diebler amidst their push for an NCAA Tournament appearance.
WHAT’S NEXT
- Women’s Basketball: vs. No. 6 Michigan, Wednesday, 8 p.m. on Peacock
- Men’s Basketball: @ Iowa, Wednesday, 9 p.m. on BTN
- Football: vs. Ball State, Saturday, September 5
