The CBS Sports Classic might be getting a makeover for the 2024-25 college basketball season. Established in 2014, the event has featured Kentucky, UCLA, North Carolina, and Ohio State. It was renewed in 2022 through 2026 and is expected to be held in Atlanta. But now, some serious changes are on the horizon, one of which might involve Rick Pitino adding some misery to UCLA head coach Mick Cronin!

For this year’s CBS Sports Classic, Mark Pope’s Kentucky was set to battle UCLA. The UK lost to Ohio State in 2024 and beat North Carolina in 2023. So, naturally, the Bruins were next in line. But now, that clash might not happen. Reports suggest Mick Cronin’s team could be backing out of the event.

According to David Berov, St. John’s is joining the CBS Sports Classic and will play the Kentucky Wildcats this season, replacing UCLA in the Field of Four. A potential matchup between Kentucky and St. John’s is definitely something to keep an eye on! With Rick Pitino leading the Red Storm and the Wildcats loaded with talent, this could be a highly anticipated game!

And it’s not just any game—Pitino facing Kentucky is a big deal. He coached the Wildcats to a national title in 1996, and now he’s back to take them on with his new squad. Talk about drama!

UCLA holds a 3-7 record in the CBS Sports Classic–the worst among the four teams. So, it’s not shocking to see them replaced. Especially by a rising program like St. John’s, led by the legendary Rick Pitino. The Red Storm are no joke this season, with Pitino turning them into a Big East powerhouse. They secured a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and climbed as high as No. 5 in the AP Top 25 poll. With a top-notch defense and some serious talent, they’re ready to shine on this big stage.

It’s a smart move. It boosts the event’s appeal and pulls in more eyeballs. A Kentucky vs. St. John’s showdown? That’s something fans never expected–but now, it’s real. UCLA fans certainly won’t like this news, but the Johnnies? They will love it!

There’s more good news coming out of Queens. Rick Pitino and the Red Storm have landed their first recruit! It took some time, but the wait is finally over!

Rick Pitino and co land their first recruit

Rick Pitino and the St. John’s Red Storm are loading up for a big run. The roster is getting scarier by the day. They’ve added Ian Jackson (No. 8 overall), Bryce Hopkins (No. 15), Joson Sanon (No. 23), and Oziyah Sellers (No. 110). Sure, losing RJ Luis hurts–but this backcourt is still stacked. But more good news was on the way.The Johnnies have officially landed their first high school commitment in the 2025 class!

Four-star guard Kelvin Odih made it official that he’s headed to St. John’s this week. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard is ranked number 67 nationally by On3 Sports. He plays for SoCal Academy and the Rhode Island Elite Puma AAU squad.Odih is known for his explosiveness and defensive hustle. He was originally committed to West Virginia but reopened his recruitment after a coaching change. That’s when Pitino stepped in and got him on board.

There’s a lot to like about this St. John’s squad. Rick Pitino has built a roster that looks ready for a deep March run. After a second-round exit last season, the Johnnies are hungry for more. Pitino knows the road ahead won’t be easy–but he also knows his team can pull off something special. Stay tuned. Big things could be coming!