LOS ANGELES — As impressive as it is to win seven straight games against sturdy, Big Ten competition, it’s important to note the impact travel has played in determining the UCLA men’s basketball team’s record.

Throughout their 2024-25 campaign, the Bruins are 17-2 in games played in the Pacific time zone, including a 13-1 record in Pauley Pavilion. Whereas, outside the Pacific Time zone, the Bruins are 1-4 with losses at Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska, neutral-site North Carolina and a win at a neutral site against Arizona.

UCLA (18-6 overall, 9-4 Big Ten) will embark on another road trip, with games at Illinois (16-8, 8-6) on Tuesday at 5 p.m. and Indiana (14-10, 5-8) on Friday at 5 p.m. The pair of games outside of the Pacific Time zone will act as a measuring stick for the Bruins because title contenders find ways to win beyond their element and the Bruins have yet to do that, to this point.

Head coach Mick Cronin described the Illini as “extremely explosive.” They are a volatile team with high-end guard talent, especially on the offensive side. Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis leads Illinois with 15.6 points and 5.2 assists per game, while his sidekick, Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell, contributes 11.5 ppg. Illinois has shot over 38% from 3-point range in six games and has won each of those, including a 9-of-16 (56.3%) performance in a 95-74 victory at Minnesota on Saturday.

Indiana’s season has not met expectations. After starting the year ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll, the Hoosiers have faltered as the touted players they added in the transfer portal have disappointed and failed to click with head coach Mike Woodson.

During a media availability on Jan. 16, just before UCLA’s seven-game winning streak commenced, a reporter informed Cronin of the favorable nature of the travel throughout the upcoming schedule.

“You’ve got five of seven at home,” the reporter said, “and the road trips are to Washington and USC.”

“I didn’t even know,” Cronin replied. “I’m looking forward to that now that you say that.”

Cronin might not have seen it coming, but the opportunity for UCLA to turn its season around after a four-game losing streak was written in their schedule.

Over the course of their West-Coast-stand, the Bruins built habits that can help them succeed throughout their travels. To win on the road in conference play, Cronin said Saturday after UCLA’s 78-54 win over Penn State, it’s imperative to take care of the basketball and control the turnover margin.

UCLA was a combined plus-51 in the turnover margin over its last seven games and didn’t lose the turnover battle in any of those games. In its five games outside of the Pacific Time zone, UCLA is plus-24 in the turnover margin. Still, an impressive stat, but with a team whose offense, at times, heavily comes from its defense’s aggression, it’s important that metric doesn’t drop off on the road.

The UCLA offense has been improved recently as they’ve scored 78 or more points in five of their last seven games.

“We’re really dialed in on what we’re looking for,” Skyy Clark said Saturday.

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“Taking care of the ball, being smart, not forcing nothing, just making the right decisions,” Kobe Johnson added.

Johnson, arguably, had his best game as a Bruin on Saturday with a double-double (15 points and 13 rebounds) to go along with six assists. To lead the team in assists and rebounds from the wing spot is a testament to his consistency and I.Q. His passing, especially in transition, has stood out this season. It’s a product of his instincts and his time in high school, playing point guard before a late growth spurt.

“I think I’m a hell of a passer,” he said back on Nov. 4 “I just don’t think I’ve shown it to the full extent yet in college. That’s definitely something I’m still trying to, you know, show more to the world.”

He’s done so recently and it has coincided with UCLA’s surge.