In its first three games combined, UCLA men’s basketball has turned the ball over 45 times, averaging 15.0.

On its face, this is undoubtedly a worrying statistic. You’re rarely going to beat a Big Ten opponent when you turn the ball over 15 times.

Bruins coach Mick Cronin believes there’s a reason for that.

“(We) try to move the ball more. And when you emphasize passing, I’ll just give you an example: Teams that try to pass the ball a lot – Golden State (Warriors) – they’re going to have more turnovers,” Cronin told reporters Wednesday. “And (Warriors general manager) Bob Myers and I talked about it, actually, a few years ago. Where Jaime (Jaquez Jr), Tyger (Campbell) mainly have the ball a lot, there’s less passing Your turnovers are going to be Where is when you’re a team — so there’s a risk-reward, right — when you’re a team with high ball movement, you’re going to have those. great possessions.

“But when your goal, like in their case, is 300 passes per game, every time you exceed it, something bad can happen. I mean, that’s just the reality, like in a football game, obviously, right? throw in eight new guys, playing together. , and all that.”