For the record, this one frightens me a little. Oregon plays a zone, USC is coming off a big win over UCLA and the Ducks are opening the brand new Matthew Knight Arena tonight. Everything considered, it feels like a letdown is a distinct possibility, especially considering USC's past history. But, no "Mac Court." Will there still be a home-court advantage? Per Baxter Homes:
But as they do, college basketball's second-oldest on-campus arena, McArthur Court, a musty and raucous barn house of a building that for 84 years was the Duck's home, will officially have met its end.
"Mac Court" - as it was known - "was one of the all-time great home-court advantages," USC Coach Kevin O'Neill said.
Problem is, for USC, 10-6 overall and 2-1 in Pacific 10 Conference play, and every other Oregon (7-9, 0-4) opponent, the Ducks' 405,000 square-foot arena, named after Oregon alum and Nike co-founder Phil Knight's late son, is modeled after its old one - with a few, minor tweaks.
Should be an exciting one, simply based on the fact of checking out the new arena.
Anyway, it's going to be televised on FSN Prime Ticket at 8 p.m. PST for those in Los Angeles.
FIGHT ON!