Pregame Observations From Hinkle Fieldhouse For BYU/UCLA

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – BYU and UCLA will be squaring off in first round NCAA Tournament action in one of the nation’s most historic venues, Hinkle Fieldhouse.

KSL Sports is on location for BYU’s potential run in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. I arrived early to capture the history of Hinkle Fieldhouse that is on display for this unprecedented NCAA Tournament.

A total of 1,250 fans will be in attendance for tonight’s game between BYU and UCLA. For those you that are one of the lucky few, it’s a neat atmosphere. For those of you who are not in attendance, here’s a little bit of the atmosphere at Hinkle for an NCAA Tournament in written form.

Pregame observations from Hinkle Fieldhouse for BYU/UCLA

• The history of Hinkle Fieldhouse immediately grabs your attention the moment you walk into the gym.

The history of basketball on display at @HinkleFH.#BYU #GoCougs #BYUHoops #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Mqe1dnw242

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

• Pictures from the movie Hoosiers, with a letterman jacket, is in a glass display case.

Check out the @kslsports IG Stories from Hinkle Fieldhouse for #BYU vs. UCLA.#BYUHoops #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/xHt27X2li3

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 21, 2021

• A timeline of historical events at Hinkle Fieldhouse wraps around the entire gymnasium.

What if…Gordon Hayward made that shot in 2010? 🤔 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/miJMRrTlkS

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

• Only 45 rows of chairs/bleachers in the arena.

Not a bad seat in the house. 😮 🏀 #BYU vs. UCLA in the #NCAATournament First Round from @HinkleFH.#MarchMadness | #BYUHoops | #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/wGt8Snypwk

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

• Media is stationed behind the hoop on the right end of the court when viewing on TV.

Hoop looks like 10 feet. 😏 📏 🏀 #BYU #BYUHoops #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/lts7q5TPeI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 20, 2021

That sunset. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/TaF0FZJWyz

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 21, 2021

• You can walk around the entire arena from the middle, it loops around. Each corner has a concession stand that takes you back in time like you’re getting a box of popcorn for a nickel.
• Fans started to arrive around 8:45 p.m. (EDT). Even amidst a pandemic, the NCAA is a stickler letting fans get into the building before a certain time. Second session woes.

Fans starting to arrive at @HinkleFH for @BYUBasketball vs. @UCLAMBB.#BYU #GoCougs #BYUHoops #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/FasrD9E1YV

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 21, 2021

• BYU will wear white uniforms with navy blue numbers and navy blue trim.

#BYU is on the court for warmups.#BYUHoops | #GoCougs | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/uTS3j8Q5Xy

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 21, 2021

• Broadcasters for the TV are enclosed with glass in front of them.

Setup for TV broadcasters. pic.twitter.com/ON0n4u2fHD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 21, 2021

Follow Mitch Harper and his NCAA Tournament 2021 coverage from Indianapolis with BYU and Utah State by following KSL Sports on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and the KSL Sports app.