The CBS Sports Classic might be getting a serious makeover — and Kentucky fans could be in for a high-profile replacement showdown.
According to Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio, one of the traditional CBS Sports Classic teams — Kentucky, UCLA, North Carolina, and Ohio State — is expected to withdraw from this year’s event. Kentucky will remain in the field, but the Wildcats may not face the opponent originally scheduled by the event’s rotation.
That opponent? UCLA, the only West Coast program in the four-team showcase.
So what’s going on?
The CBS Sports Classic has long featured a rotating schedule among its blueblood participants, and based on that pattern, Kentucky was expected to face the Bruins this season. Kentucky defeated North Carolina in 2023 and was routed by Ohio State last season, meaning UCLA is next in line.
But if the Bruins are indeed bowing out — potentially due to travel complications or scheduling conflicts — the door opens for a blockbuster replacement.
And two names have surfaced: UConn and St. John’s.
Enter: Pitino or Hurley?
A matchup against Rick Pitino’s Red Storm would practically sell itself. Kentucky vs. St. John’s wouldn’t just be a battle of brand names — it would be a reunion of sorts, pitting the Wildcats against the legendary coach who once led them to a Final Four and resurrected the program in the 1990s.
Even Pitino’s biggest detractors would admit: the theater of that game would be electric.
On the flip side, a matchup with defending national champion UCONN would give Kentucky a true early-season litmus test against Danny Hurley’s powerhouse program. The Huskies have become the gold standard in March, almost upsetting National Champion Florida in the second round, and a neutral-site battle with them would add serious weight to Kentucky’s non-conference résumé.
Is the rotation gone?
The original design of the CBS Sports Classic called for each team to face each of the others on a rolling basis, but if UCLA pulls out and is replaced — especially with no assurance of returning — the format may be reset entirely.
In that case, the matchup wouldn’t necessarily follow the old rotation. That opens the door for Kentucky to face any of the other remaining programs or newcomers, depending on what CBS and the schools decide.
One thing is certain: Kentucky is staying in. The Wildcats remain committed to participating, and their opponent will likely be announced soon as details are finalized.
A win-win for Big Blue Nation
Whether it’s Pitino vs. Pope or Hurley vs. the Wildcats, Kentucky fans are looking at a no-lose scenario. Both matchups bring marquee value, national TV exposure, and postseason implications — not to mention potential revenge, legacy narratives, and highlight-reel moments.
UCLA may be out. But Kentucky is still very much in. And whoever steps in to replace the Bruins better be ready.