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UCLA Basketball Faces Challenges with Non-Conference Scheduling

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3 días ago

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Ucla Basketball Pauley Pavilion

The iconic Pauley Pavilion is set to host the UCLA Bruins as they face Idaho State on Wednesday night. However, this matchup marks yet another lackluster non-conference game, reflecting broader trends in college basketball scheduling.

Since the 2021-22 season, UCLA’s home games have predominantly featured teams from lesser-known conferences such as the Big West, Big Sky, and Western Athletic. The trend raises questions among fans about the diminishing excitement of home games at Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA’s head coach, Mick Cronin, discussed the growing trend of neutral-site games for non-conference confrontations during a press briefing on Tuesday. «The era of home-and-home nonconference games, I mean, how many have you seen?» Cronin remarked. «A few. And they were on the back end of the contracts — they’re not going to be renewed, probably.»

This shift towards neutral venues is largely driven by fundraising efforts associated with name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. Cronin explained, «There’s a promoter involved, the money gets disbursed. You can figure it out from there. There’s a reason everybody’s doing it.»

The Bruins’ recent schedule reflects this change, including games against New Mexico in Henderson, Nevada, and upcoming contests against highly-ranked teams at neutral sites like Madison Square Garden in New York and the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Despite entering the season ranked 22nd nationally, UCLA experienced a setback with a loss to New Mexico earlier in the month, leading to their drop from the top 25 rankings.

The impact of these scheduling changes is evident in fan attendance, with UCLA averaging only 4,694 spectators per home game this season, placing them near the bottom among Big Ten schools.

The ongoing adjustments in college sports scheduling underscore a broader evolution within collegiate athletics, with financial considerations increasingly influencing traditional game arrangements. As the Bruins continue their season, the implications of these changes remain a topic of considerable interest to fans and stakeholders alike.

Rachel Adams

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