Midnight Madness isn't the Bruins way

College basketball teams can officially begin practice Friday, not that those athletes haven't already been playing pickup games with teammates all summer or gathering for individual workouts since class began.

UCLA holds its media day Wednesday, two days before practice begins, which means the media can't actually ask any of the players how practice has been going. And there won't be media actually at UCLA's first practice because that's just not allowed.

That philosophy runs counter to the many schools that have a Midnight Madness first practice. Fans and the media are not only allowed -- but are encouraged -- to attend, and the practice often is televised. Gonzaga, for example, is sending out press releases touting the fact that ESPNU is televising its first practice.

You can buy tickets to Kentucky's midnight madness practice on EBay.

That's simply not the UCLA way.

However, tickets for the 2008 Wooden Classic are on sale.

UCLA will play DePaul and San Diego State will play St. Mary's at the Honda Center Dec. 13.

And I guess that's better than practice anyway.

-- Diane Pucin