Feb. 15, 2011
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- UCLA officials hope to determine within two to three weeks where the men's basketball team will play its home games next season.
Historic Pauley Pavilion will be closed on April 1 as it undergoes $136 million in renovations and won't be reopened until the 2012-13 season.
UCLA sent season ticket holders and fans who bought single game tickets a survey to determine which arenas they would prefer the Bruins to play in for the 2011-12 season.
Their options included the Los Angeles Sports Arena, Staples Center, Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.
"So far we're getting a lot of responses," said Mark Harlan, UCLA's senior associate athletic director-external relations. "It will serve as a guide for leadership to put together the season for next year."
Harlan said the Bruins would most likely play their 18 home games at several different venues, depending on their availability.
UCLA junior guard Lazeric Jones' face lit up at the prospect of playing in the Staples Center, home of the Lakers and Clippers.
"It's great when you can play in an NBA arena," Jones said. "Most basketball players dream to play in the NBA and to play in those arenas gives you hope, so it feels good."
One arena that has been ruled out is the former home of the Lakers, the Los Angeles Forum in Inglewood.
Madison Square Garden has an option to buy the Forum, and it will be undergoing renovations.
The Sports Arena, which was once home to the UCLA and Southern Cal men's basketball teams and the Clippers, is the only one available for the entire season.
UCLA head coach Ben Howland said he didn't have a preference where the team plays.
"We know it's going to be obviously more difficult when you're traveling to a home game," Howland said. "For the long-term health of the program, the facility being redone is great and much needed. There will be some difficulties in terms of practice, but ultimately it will be great once it's done."
To encourage students to attend games, Harlan said the school would consider providing buses and maybe offer other incentives.
The women's basketball team, men's and women's volleyball teams and the gymnastics squad will most likely compete next season in the John Wooden recreation center.
