Gophs may face John Wall; Pauley Pavilion getting major rennovation

[BleedGopher]

Andy Katz has a few tidbits of note:

• A John Wall decision could come as early as this weekend, with Miami and Kentucky the two likeliest destinations for the top point guard in the Class of 2009. The Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) playmaker could elevate either one of these programs to the NCAA tournament. But Wall does not have to sign by the end of the spring signing period Wednesday.

If Kentucky lands him, the drama was unnecessary (based on his original destination being Memphis when John Calipari was the coach). If Miami gets Wall, you can chalk this down as one of the top recruiting coups of the past 10 years. Hurricanes coach Frank Haith will have pulled off quite a feat if he gets Wall to replace Jack McClinton, making the Canes an NCAA team and ensuring Miami is a must-see destination for hoops for the next 10 months.

• Quick correction to Thursday's Daily Word: Due to renovations, UCLA will need to find a home other than Pauley Pavilion for the 2011-12 season, not 2010-11. Also, UCLA coach Ben Howland is thrilled with the Pauley facelift, but did say he likes practicing in the same gym where games are played rather than building a practice facility. The project doesn't include a new practice facility.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4170004&name=katz_andy

If Wall chooses Miami, I imagine it would guarantee us an ESPN/ESPN2 game against Miami and not one of the ESPNU games, which it otherwise could.

As far as the UCLA note, having attended 4 games at UCLA, this is LONG overdue. Pauley Pavilion was the most disappointed I've ever been in a basketball arena.

Go Gophers!!

 

[MillionMoves]

I hope Wall choses Miami, simply so we can see this great talent play against the Gophers.

Your comment about Pauley Pavilion is interesting ... could you elaborate about what was so dissapointing about it? (I have never been there) Just because they have had so many great players one assumes it was a palace, which I know is often not the case.

Thanks for your many interesting posts.

 

[BleedGopher]

I hope Wall choses Miami, simply so we can see this great talent play against the Gophers.

Your comment about Pauley Pavilion is interesting ... could you elaborate about what was so dissapointing about it? (I have never been there) Just because they have had so many great players one assumes it was a palace, which I know is often not the case.

Thanks for your many interesting posts.

I saw UCLA games at Pauley against some great matchups: a top ranked KU team with Gooden, Heinrich and Collison, against a Top 25 Oregon team, against an average Stanford team and against an NIT caliber San Diego State team and the atmospheres never blew me away. I had very high expectations give the incredible tradition of UCLA, but I was immediately disappointed. They have no Hall of Fame of sorts connected to the facility, the banners were dated at best (very old and ratty at worst), no murals of their collection of All-Americans, the national title trophies were no where to be seen, no dedication to Wooden, etc.

The seating on the baseline is way too far from the court, which takes away from the fans being on top of the players, their student section is relatively small and the concession areas and bathrooms make Williams Arena seem modern.

I know Steve Lavin tried in a failed attempt to modernize the banners and historical references, but that never came to fruition. Since they are doing a season long rennovation I have no doubt that they will address most if not all of these complaints and make it into the historical facility that it should be to reflect the history of the program. Clearly I am not the only one with such disappointing opinions of the game day experience there as a season long rennovation is a heck of a commitment. It will definitely motivate me to attend a game there once it is complete.

All that being said, the campus and the Westwood area are everything one would expect of UCLA - incredible...not to mention a campus building right by Pauley dedicated to my all time favorite athlete, Arthur Ashe!!

Go Gophers!!

 

[MillionMoves]

Thanks BleedGopher for the excellent reply. After reading your comments, I did a "Bird's Eye" of the campus and it does look very impressive. That tennis stadium next to Pauley looks spectacular. I would love to visit that campus someday.

If anyone isn't aware of Microsoft's Bird's Eye, you should check it out. I enjoy looking at sports stadiums/arenas around the world using it.

Go to: http://maps.live.com
Type in Pauley Pavilion (for example) to quickly find a location
Click Bird's Eye on map for an astonishing view