For the 2025 event, the CBS Sports Classic will be losing another significant abbreviation as UCLA has chosen to pull out of the yearly televised doubleheader. The university aims to concentrate on arranging games that involve minimal traveling.
St. John’s will take the place of UCLA, and organizers decided to pair the Red Storm with Kentucky so as to pit Coach Rick Pitino against his ex-player, Mark Pope. This event, which started in 2014, also features North Carolina and Ohio State.
The previous year’s event took place at Madison Square Garden, and the 2025 edition is scheduled for December 20 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
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Rick Pitino vs. Kentucky
From 1989 to 1997, Pitino led the Wildcats, making it to three Final Fours and securing one NCAA championship. Afterward, he moved on to coach at University of Louisville, which happens to be a rival school. Since his dismissal from Louisville in September 2017, he hasn’t faced off against Kentucky. During his tenure with the Cardinals, his head-to-head record versus the Wildcats stood at 6 wins and 12 losses.
Pope competed under Pitino at Kentucky from 1994 to 1996 following his transfer from Washington. A part of the famed 1996 NCAA Champion squad, he contributed with an average of 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 21 minutes per contest as a substitute player.
Pope stated in a social media video revealing the matchup that he believes giving the Johnnies and BBN the most incredible Christmas present would be an excellent idea.
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UCLA aims to decrease travel.
During their second season in the Big Ten Conference, the Bruins will face away games at Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Penn State during the 2025-26 period.
In order to replace the slot formerly taken up by the CBS Sports Classic, Coach Mick Cronin and his team are currently looking for a rival willing to participate in a home-and-home series.
“Ideally, we’d like to incorporate more games into our home schedule, provided it’s feasible,” Cronin stated to The Sporting News. “Additionally, we aim to lessen the traveling burden on our student-athletes. It’s important to remember that even though they receive compensation, they remain students at heart.”
UCLA already faces three crucial games on neutral courts, with two of those opponents being established powerhouses.
On November 14th, the Bruins will take on the University of Arizona from the Big 12 conference at the newly built Inuit Dome in Inglewood, which serves as the Clippers’ cutting-edge venue. The team will later compete against perennial March Madness participant Gonzaga on December 13th, wrapping up their planned two-year rivalry. Additionally, UCLA has arranged for a matchup with Cal from the ACC at the Chase Center located in San Francisco.
Last season, the Bruins had a record of 9 wins and 2 losses during their non-conference games, with their only defeats coming from New Mexico and North Carolina. However, none of those opponents were of NCAA Tournament caliber when playing at Pauley Pavilion.
They concluded the season with a record of 23-11, securing the fourth spot in the Big Ten conference and facing early exit in the NCAA Tournament after losing in the second round.
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