When the UCLA Bruins open the season on Friday night, fans will be anticipating more than just watching the team play against Indiana State.
It will be the first time the fans will be able to see the newly renovated Pauley Pavillion, which underwent an extensive $132 million makeover in the offseason. The Bruins will look to get off to a positive start at the same place that legendary coach John Wooden made famous by winning multiple championships.
The team is coming off a spell of disappointing seasons, especially last year. UCLA was only 19-14 and dropped the first two games of the year against mid-majors Loyola Marymount and Middle Tennessee State.
"Last year we looked ahead at our schedule and forgot teams were looking for us," center Joshua Smith said to the Associated Press. "We thought we could waltz in and win (against Loyola Marymount) and they beat us. We made a lot of mistakes last year. I'm going to be reminding them all the time."
UCLA was one of the best teams in the nation a few years ago, making the Final Four from 2006 through 2008, but have trailed off in recent years after losing players like Russell Westbrook and Darren Collison to the NBA.
The team has dealt with turmoil off the court this past offseason, including coach Ben Howland. The team is dealing with recruiting issues for two players and also had to answer questions about a Sports Illustrated article that detailed dysfunction in the program and the dismissal of star player Reeves Nelson from the team in December.
Both prized recruit Shabazz Muhammad and freshman Kyle Anderson dealt with issues about improper benefits. Anderson was recently cleared to play, while its unclear when Muhammad will be able to suit up.
"All of us want him to play," Smith said. "The guy is 18 and he just wants to play. He's waiting and waiting and waiting to hear something. He's at every practice watching or on the sideline getting ready. Right now we got to do it with the players we have."
The team will face off against Indiana State without Muhammad, but they possibly will get back Tyler Lamb, who has been out after getting arthroscopic knee surgery.
The scheduling of the first game at the new arena with the Sycamores wasn't by accident either, as there is a historical connection between the two teams.
According to the Associated Press,
"Wooden coached two seasons at what was then called Indiana State Teacher's College, posting a 44-15 record from 1946-48. Besides coaching basketball, he helped with the baseball team and served as athletic director while completing his master's degree in education. Wooden then left for Los Angeles, and began coaching the Bruins in 1948. He led UCLA to 10 NCAA championships, including a record seven straight, during his 27 years."
The arena added a range of upgrades, including new seats and a new video scoreboard.
"I just love the feel," said Christopher Lee, a senior physics major to UCLA Today.. "It feels like the old Pauley. It looks nicer, but the feeling is the same, so it's awesome."
The arena also has new locker rooms for the home team, which will be located downstairs under the court, and a players lounge with chairs and a large-screen TV.
"It is like a brand new building," Howland said to NCAA.com. "It's going to be great for the next 50 years."
The building was first opened in June of 1965 and has had very few upgrades since then, apart from a lighting system and a video scoreboard that were installed in the 1990s.
" Capacity was increased by 1,000 seats to 13,800, with just under 10,000 season tickets sold for men's basketball. Unlike the windowless original design, the new exterior is mostly glass. Students won't have to make a mad dash to claim seats for men's basketball anymore. They can now sit in three sections closer to the court. The majority of bench seats that pulled out on the floor level have been replaced by chair-back seats with cup holders. The team benches have switched to the opposite side of the building."
UCLA will hope to start the season off on a positive note after the turmoil and disappointment last season.
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