‘It’s the only show in town’: UCLA will face far more hostile road crowds in Big Ten

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UCLA guard Skyy Clark and the Bruins will work to silence hostile crowds as they begin their first Big Ten road games. (Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)

When Tyler Bilodeau, Kobe Johnson and the other UCLA starters approach center court for tipoff against Nebraska on Saturday inside Pinnacle Bank Arena, the roars from a sold-out crowd washing over them, one thing will be thunderously clear.

They’re not in Gill Coliseum, Maples Pavilion or any of the other sleepy Pac-12 arenas anymore.

Noise will be a constant companion as UCLA navigates its first Big Ten schedule. Nine conference teams are averaging at least 10,000 fans for home games, with Indiana’s average of 16,514 leading the way. Purdue ranks second with 14,876 fans per home game, followed closely by Nebraska (14,848), Michigan State (14,797) and Illinois (14,789).

“I don’t think I can name a single Big Ten stadium where their fans don’t come and, like, show out and support and they’re talking trash,” said UCLA junior guard Skyy Clark, a veteran of the experience after having spent his freshman season at Illinois. “It definitely gets loud and rowdy, so it’s a fun environment to play in.”

Read more: Does Mick Cronin’s irritation with direction of college sports threaten his longevity?

Well, maybe not always for the visitors.

Nebraska (11-2 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) has won 19 consecutive games on its home court during a streak that began in December 2023. With a victory over the No. 15 Bruins (11-2, 2-0), the Cornhuskers would tie the school record of 20 straight home wins they set twice previously.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin understands the challenge that awaits after having taken Cincinnati to Pinnacle Bank Arena in December 2014, when his Bearcats lost in double overtime. At the time, Cronin called the 15,147-seat facility “probably, outside of Louisville, the best arena I’ve ever been in.”

The atmosphere Saturday will certainly be more raucous than what the Bruins experienced in the Pac-12, where some…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/only-show-town-ucla-face-213221196.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2025-01-02 21:32:00

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