So how much have you gotten done at work this morning (for those living out in the East)? Just few more hours to go. But I want to remind everyone again ... no matter what happens tonight - savor this. And I will let one of our All Time greatest - a living legend enforce the point:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was never known as a master orator, but when he took the floor in front of fans (On Saturday before the game at Conseco Fieldhouse during the Bruin pep rally - NY Times), he made a point that will be remembered like one of his skyhooks. He told the baby-blue throng not to expect another John Wooden era. He told them to savor whatever era is beginning right now.
And let's not forget the underlying rock that formed the foundation of the greatest program in the history of college sports (not just basketball). Here is an excerpt from an email from Mindy Kolani - Jordan Farmar's mother - she wrote her son yesterday afternoon:
"This is all very exciting, but don't forget where you come from and don't forget who you are. I want people to remember you for the same reasons they remember Coach Wooden."
That's heavy stuff but basic if you want to consider yourself a blue and glue bleeding true blue Bruin.So where are you watching the game? If you are on campus join the Bruin Den:
Party with a few thousand of your closest UCLA friends at Pauley Pavilion on Monday night and watch the Bruins bash the Gators on the famous fieldhouse's scoreboard video screen.
Pizza, hot dogs, and soft drinks for sale. An after-game dance party will feature MC DJ Mystery. Admission is free for members of the UCLA family: students, faculty and staff with UCLA BruinCards, alumni with UCLA Alumni Association membership cards.
Doors open at 5 p.m., tipoff shortly after 6 p.m. Limited to available seating, first come, first serve.
Of course the regular readers of BruinsNation know how we feel about the Bruins Den (click on the image to get a little fired up):Pizza, hot dogs, and soft drinks for sale. An after-game dance party will feature MC DJ Mystery. Admission is free for members of the UCLA family: students, faculty and staff with UCLA BruinCards, alumni with UCLA Alumni Association membership cards.
Doors open at 5 p.m., tipoff shortly after 6 p.m. Limited to available seating, first come, first serve.
The best student section of college basketball that doesn't need props from Dukee V
Yes we HEART the Den and of course we HEART our Band.
And we wish we could be so lucky to be with those guys at Pauley tonight. Of course if you are in DC come out and watch some beautiful UCLA basketball with other alums, students (interns in DC) and Bruin friends where else - the Ugly Mug. Where are you watching the game? Post in this pre-game afternoon game-day thread.
Here is our game day pre-game image:
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Oh and don't forget to take one more look at this video clip (4.8 seconds that will help relieve all your championship (still can't believe I am typing this) stress).
Less than 10 hours to go now.
Can't wait to see what A puts up for today's game thread.
GO BRUINS.