NCDS: Scott Garson, Asst. Coach - UCLA

As March rolls in, this is the time of the year that makes college basketball the greatest sport in America.  You want to be playing your best basketball in hopes that you can keep your season going as long as possible.  We have won 12 of our last 14 games and pushed our way into a first place tie atop the Pac-10 Conference.  Pauley Pavilion was rocking today with as electric an atmosphere as I can remember during my seven seasons in Westwood (and that includes three teams that went to Final Fours.)  We beat a very good Arizona team soundly and played our most complete game of the season to date.

But there was something special going on recently that reminded me once again why I am so fortunate to be a part of the UCLA Men’s Basketball program. A unique moment, I was part of the last home game in Pauley Pavilion before it closes in April for a 16-month, 150 million dollar renovation.  And fittingly, Coach Wooden’s great grandson, Tyler Trapani, made the final basket.  His layup with 25 seconds remaining were the first two points in his career.  Everyone in the building felt Coach Wooden’s presence at that moment, and many of us got choked up moments later in the locker room.  Even though the game was decided several minutes before the final buzzer, everyone in the crowd stayed to the end, and thousands of people waited in line around Nell and John Wooden Court for the opportunity to walk on the floor and take a photo for the final time in its current, historic state.

So many great teams, players and coaches have stepped foot on that floor, and so many great games have been played in that building.  I cannot help but to take a moment to reflect on the opportunity that all of us were given to be in the building and a part of that special moment.  Coaching college basketball does not always give you the time to step back and enjoy a moment, and we often do not get the opportunity to reflect on things until long after they are over.  It is always on to the next game or the next recruiting call.  Today, however, was one of those times when we all did a little reflecting, and we all thought about Coach Wooden quite a bit.  Thanks for sending us into March with one last great memory in your building, Coach ………. now it is time to start thinking about what recruits to go see this week and that next game at Washington on Thursday. 

The Madness continues.

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