When Pauley Pavilion reopens on Nov. 9, UCLA will have its heralded recruiting class and a lot of nostalgia.
You see, CBSSports.com reported that the Bruins will play their first game in their renovated arena against Indiana State, where legendary UCLA coach John Wooden coached for two seasons before moving on to to immortality in Westwood. Wooden guided the Sycamores to a 44-15 record from 1946-48.
Wooden, an Indiana native, died in 2010 at the age of 99. Pauley Pavilion is undergoing a $136 million renovation and, though it’s the kind of new-age sparkle that doesn’t scream Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood no doubt would have loved to watch the game between his two former schools.
