UCLA's Cronin rips Big Ten travel schedule

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin made it clear that he believes his team has a harder Big Ten travel schedule than those in the East when asked about any potential wear and tear for programs having to travel to California.

"Wear and tear on them? Is that a joke?" Cronin told reporters Friday following the Bruins' 94-70 win over Iowa. "Please tell me that's a joke. ... Ask me UCLA's record east of the Mississippi in the last 20 years. Because when I got the job, I looked it up for scheduling purposes. It's under .500, OK.

"We have to go back (east) four times. Oh, the Big Ten teams get to come to Los Angeles where it's 70 degrees one time a year. They don't even have to switch hotels. (USC and UCLA are) 12 miles apart. Are you kidding me? Please tell me you're kidding me. I mean, is this a plant? Is this a planted question? I mean, you cannot be serious with that."

UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington are the group of West Coast schools that left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten this season.

It's been a rough transition for the Bruins as they sit in the middle of the pack with a 3-4 record in conference play.

Cronin's squad dropped consecutive games to Maryland and Rutgers during its most recent road trip out east.

UCLA's remaining schedule still includes back-to-back away contests against Illinois and Indiana, followed up by Purdue and Northwestern two weeks later.

This year's Big Ten Tournament takes place in Indianapolis from March 12-16.

"We've seen the Statue of Liberty twice in the last three weeks while we were landing," Cronin said. "We also saw the Capitol building ... and then we've gotta go back for the Big Ten Tournament.

"I mean you can't possibly be serious. … They do it one time. Stop. ... I mean, he's asking me to feel sorry because Iowa had to come to L.A. for a few days."