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Mick Cronin’s UCLA men’s basketball squad has dedicated the initial two months of the 2024-25 season accumulating frequent-flyer miles, having already completed trips to New York, Nebraska, and Maryland.
Regarding the potential travel challenges other teams may face, Cronin does not exhibit much empathy.
During a press conference on Friday night, following the Bruins’ 94-70 victory over Iowa, Cronin was queried whether he has perceived any “wear and tear” that the Big Ten teams exhibit when traveling west to compete against UCLA and USC, and whether it is comparable to the challenges faced by the Bruins frequently traveling east.
Initially questioning if the inquiry was meant as a joke, Cronin expressed his frustration.
“Have you ever checked the NBA statistics regarding what gamblers do with west versus east?” he noted. “Consult (USC coach) Eric Musselman. Pose him that question. He has NBA coaching experience. Good luck for teams traveling west to face eastern opposition. Ask about UCLA’s record east of the Mississippi over the last two decades; when I took over, I investigated for scheduling reasons. It’s below .500.
“We are required to return four times. The Big Ten squads get to visit Los Angeles, where it’s a pleasant 70 degrees, only once each season. They don’t even have to change hotels. We are a mere 12 miles apart. Are you serious? Please tell me this is a joke. Is this a planted question? You cannot be serious. Meanwhile, we’ve spotted the Statue of Liberty twice within the past three weeks while landing. We also caught a glimpse of the Capitol building. And yet, we must return again. Not to mention we have to go back for the Big Ten tournament.”
In its inaugural season in the Big Ten, UCLA has already faced away games against Nebraska (approximately 1,500 miles from Los Angeles), Maryland (2,640 miles), and Rutgers (2,750 miles), as well as a trip to New York for a neutral-site non-conference match versus North Carolina.
The Bruins still have upcoming away games scheduled against Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, and Northwestern, along with the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.
The Big Ten has sought to alleviate the logistical burden for its teams by coordinating games for travel efficiency. Teams traveling to Los Angeles to confront UCLA, for example, also face nearby USC during the same week. UCLA’s conference road trips have primarily involved games among institutions that are relatively close to each other, such as Maryland and Rutgers.
After rising as high as No. 18 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, UCLA’s triumph against Iowa halted a four-game losing streak, three of which occurred in conference away games. The Bruins currently have a record of 0-3 this season in matches played east of the Mississippi River.
Friday’s outburst was the latest instance in recent weeks where the typically candid and at times irritable Cronin has expressed his dissatisfaction with various aspects concerning his team.
He labeled his players as “soft” and “delusional” after experiencing a 94-75 defeat against No. 19 Michigan on January 7. In the later stages of a 79-61 loss at Maryland three days afterward, Cronin was ejected due to disputes with officials. Following the match, he mentioned that he aimed to get himself expelled, highlighting that he was “sending a message” to the league and its referees.
Cronin is currently in his sixth year as coach of UCLA, having guided the Bruins into the NCAA tournament on three occasions, crowned by a Final Four appearance in 2021. However, for five of those years, he coached in the Pac-12, which provided a significantly more manageable travel arrangement due to the relative geographic closeness of the institutions in the conference.
In the Big Ten, where Nebraska stands as the nearest school that’s not located on the west coast, the dynamics are slightly different.
“He expects me to empathize because Iowa had to travel to LA for a few days,” Cronin remarked.
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