UCLA vs. MSU in the Wooden
UCLA is going to play Mississippi State in the Wooden Classic on Dec. 12 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. An announcement could come in the next few days.
Yes, that is the same Mississippi State Renardo Sidney plans to attend.
Nice early test for Bobo. However, given Dohn's word choice (ie, "plans) I think he's skeptical about whether Sidney will even be there!
not only an early test for Bobo, but for the whole team. Mississippi St. has a pretty solid big team
They suck. Why can't Howland grow a pair and play more interesting, challenging, and higher profile teams in this game.
UCLA will play Kansas, Notre Dame, and possible two other top teams in preseason play. I think MSU is a good matchup. That said, I would have liked a game against Florida, Gonzaga, Ohio State, or Georgetown in the Wooden Classic.
how totally awesome! timmeh floyd lives in mississippi, he could catch the game in person!! good for him lol
The reason big teams won't got to the Wooden is because 1) the TV deal sucks and 2) UCLA (ie, Howland) isn't interested in returning the favor by visiting their home gym or even playing in a nearby neutral site.
Wooden game has nothing to do with home gym visit.
I don't think they will suck. They should be in the tourney again. They'll have all their best players back(including varnado), plus a star recruit in Sidney. We will be fielding a talented but young team.
"Wooden game has noting to do with home gym visit"
I disagree, while the Honda Center isn't technically "home court," it's just about the same thing.
And opposing teams can say "well, we've already been to Southern California, this time you come here" if UCLA ever tried to schedule them for a regular season game.
And on another note, if I was Renardo Sidney I'd want to play the team(s) that spurned me. Of course if I was Renardo Sidney I'd be a rich man already.
"Of course if I was Renardo Sidney I'd be a rich man already."
And that's why UCLA stopped dealing with him and even the University of Suspects and Cheats wouldn't admit him.
I don't usually come down hard on young men (he's still in high school fercryingoutloud) but with his orchestrated announcement and all the smoke surrounding him, it's unfortunate that he's being handled this way. I hope it works out for him, but there have been way more casualties than successes with this sort of taint on their reputation.
"I disagree, while the Honda Center isn't technically 'home court,' it's just about the same thing.
And opposing teams can say "well, we've already been to Southern California, this time you come here" if UCLA ever tried to schedule them for a regular season game."
Just like John Wooden Tradition at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, this pre-season matches are scheduled by invitation. The sponsors don't have to invite UCLA like they did in 1996,1999, and 2002. Unfortunately, they can't sell enough tickets when UCLA wasn't one of the participants. And UCLA or Ben Howland does not have to schedule road games against the teams they faced at John Wooden Classic. Your basketball season tickets don't include John Wooden Classic.
"And that's why UCLA stopped dealing with him and even the University of Suspects and Cheats wouldn't admit
him."
or maybe it was so bad an $UC that Renardo cut them off!
Brian, any news regarding the other match-up featuring UW?
MSU is ranked 19 in the opening poll. What is UCLA ranked?
Ucla is 29th. I think this will be a great test for the Bruins, this would be a quality win. I don't think we'll have to worry about Sidney as he is still ineligible. I'm anxious to see how we do against this shot blocking machine known as Jarvis Varnado who I noticed is on the watchlist for the Naismith trophy. Apparently he can do more than block shots.