Oregon is in Los Angeles to face UCLA in a crucial Pac-12 showdown Saturday night. Unfortunately, the Ducks were severely delayed in their arrival to Pauley Pavilion.
According to ESPN broadcaster Roxy Bernstein, Dana Altman and Oregon were stuck at their hotel less than an hour away from tip-off. The reasoning was tied to a Presidential motorcade escorting Joe Biden through the area.
So this is a first…we are less than an hour from tip and @OregonMBB is not here at Pauley Pavilion. They are stuck at their hotel and not moving because of Presidential motorcade.
— Roxy Bernstein (@roxybernstein) February 4, 2024
The game is set for a 7 pm PT tip-off, and the Ducks had not yet arrived as of 6:30 pm. Fortunately, Berstein confirmed Oregon did arrive on court for warmups at 6:31 — 29 minutes before the start of the game.
Oregon just arrived at Pauley Pavilion at 6:31pm. https://t.co/Ku3b57F9CD pic.twitter.com/0QA8UzjYQ5
— Roxy Bernstein (@roxybernstein) February 4, 2024
Some good news for the Ducks is that the start of the game time was pushed back due to their delayed arrival. UCLA has since announced the start time will be pushed back to 7:25 pm with a broadcast on ESPN2.
Tonight’s game in Pauley Pavilion has slid to a 7:25 p.m. (PT) start, nationally televised on ESPN2.
📺: ESPN2
📻: @AM570LASports #GoBruins 🏀— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) February 4, 2024
It will be interesting to see if the delay has an impact on the flow of the game for either team. Oregon enters Saturday tied for the Pac-12 lead with Arizona at 7-3 in league play. The Wildcats do not play until Sunday evening, so the Ducks can have sole possession of first place in the league with a win over the Bruins.
