Former UCLA greats react to new Pauley Pavilion

Several former UCLA men's basketball greats are excited by the new-and-improved Pauley Pavilion.

Former Bruins point guard Tyus Edney said that despite the renovations, Pauley still feels like home, telling UCLABruins.com, "I'm excited about the opening of the building. It's a face-lift for Pauley Pavilion, but it's still Pauley."

Don MacLean weighed in with his excitement and what the new building means for the program, saying, "Being here in Los Angeles, you know about the success at UCLA and what this building stands for. With the opening of New Pauley, I'm looking forward to the excitement of being back, the excitement about the program and the excitement about the new building."

Former UCLA forward Jamal Wilkes lauded how refined the new Pauley is, saying "I was thinking about Coach Wooden on the way over here (to Pauley Pavilion), and I think he would be pleased because it's state-of-the-art, but it retains the flavor of Pauley and it's not overly flamboyant. It's classy, like he was."

NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller is a little jealous of the Bruins new digs, and hopes the new building will get the Bruins' basketball program back to its winning ways of the past. Miller shared, "After seeing New Pauley Pavilion, I envy the student-athletes who will continue to excel in what John Wooden started, winning!!!"

Pauley Pavilion, which has been the Bruins' basketball home since the 1964-65 school year, has undergone a 33-month long renovation process, which began with exterior work in 2010, while the interior renovation began following the Bruins 2010-11 season. As a result of the renovations, UCLA was forced to play home games at the Los Angeles Sports Arena and the Honda Center in Anaheim last season.

The Bruins will christen the new Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 9 when they play host to the Indiana State Sycamores.