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UCLA AD Martin Jarmond reveals key factor in school backing out of 2025 CBS Sports Classic

by: Alex Byington05/01/25_AlexByington
Mick Cronin calls for changes to school schedule amid long Big Ten road trips: 'It's too much class missed'
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

UCLA recently backed out of participating in the 2025 CBS Sports Classic, opening the door for St. John’s to slide into its spot. That move helped facilitate a highly anticipated non-conference matchup between the Red Storm and head coach Rick Pitino, facing Kentucky and second-year head coach Mark Pope, who played for Pitino when he coached in Lexington in the mid-1990s.

But from UCLA’s perspective, the decision to exit CBS’s early-season showcase that also includes North Carolina and Ohio State had more to do with the program re-evaluating its future non-conference schedule. The Bruins say it was an effort to “bolster our home schedule,” according to Bruins athletic director Marin Jarmond.

“We’re always assessing how we can improve the men’s basketball program, and a big part of that is evaluating our team’s schedule,” Jarmond told CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander in a prepared statement. “We value our long-standing partnership with CBS and look forward to working with them in the future. But as we explore future schedule options, it’s important that we are strategic and have some flexibility. We want to bolster our home schedule, and I know that our fans are excited for the opportunity to add a game to Pauley Pavilion.”

While it’s not among Jarmond’s explicit reasons for pulling out of the CBS Sports Classic, staying on the West Coast to add another home game will undoubtedly lessen the Bruins’ cross-country travel in 2025. Travel became a bit of an issue for UCLA during its inaugural 2024-25 season in the Big Ten Conference, a complaint head coach Mick Cronin doubled down on during the NCAA Tournament last season.

Mick Cronin fires another shot at NCAA over travel accommodations for UCLA on long trips

Mick Cronin hasn’t been much of a fan of traveling this season, UCLA‘s first apart of the new coast-to-coast Big Ten Conference. And the Bruins coach’s opinion has only intensified in the NCAA Tournament.

During an interview in March with Colin Cowherd on FS1’s The Herd, Cronin directed his ire at the NCAA for less-than-first-class service on UCLA’s return flight to Los Angeles. This came after the Bruins’ 67-58 loss to second-seeded Tennessee on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32.

“I said it — I did the pregame show with your guys here for Duke–Illinois, and I said I thought Florida was the best team back then. Very few — they played four centers. They just beat you to death,” Cronin told Cowherd in response to a question about top-seeded Florida. “Now, somehow — we were on the plane, so you know, it’s not like we had — with the NCAA buying the plane, it’s not like we were watching the UConn–Florida game. You know, it’s all I could do to get a bag of pretzels.”

Cowherd then suggested Cronin should utilize FuboTV. To that, the UCLA coach shot back with another zinger aimed at the NCAA’s travel amenities.

“You got to have internet. You know?” Cronin said. “I mean, but look, we can’t get a seat that reclines.”

Of course, it’s not the first time Cronin has complained about his team’s travel accommodations. It’s just one of many this year.