Trojans home opener Sat Nov 7, anyone going? Where do you park?

Trojans basketball tips off at the Jack Stephens Center Saturday Nov 7 at 7 against Southeastern Louisiana. It's Travis Ford's first season as head coach so I'm curious to see what he's got going. The women are home Friday against Missouri and then host Arkansas on the 16th, which should be a fun one 🏀

I live over by MacArthur Park and haven't been to a game in a couple years. Honestly I don't remember where I parked last time, just that I walked a ways and it was cold. Is there a lot you always go to? Is it free on game nights or do you have to pay somewhere? And is it worth leaving early to beat the crowd, or does it never get that bad?

Might bring a buddy if the weather's decent. Would love to see a decent crowd out there for the first one 🙌

Leaving early isn't really a thing you need to worry about for the Trojans lol. I park in the lots right by Jack Stephens off University and walk, never spent more than a couple minutes hunting for a spot. Pretty sure it's free on game nights but don't hold me to that, I've never paid anyway.

Bring a real jacket though, the walk back at 9 is no joke.

The Arkansas women on the 16th is a different story, I'd get there early for that one. Might try Friday's Missouri game too.. my kid's team always gets way more fired up for the women's games anyway

Ha good, that's what I was hoping to hear. Lots off University and a couple minute walk is way better than what I remember 😅 Free would be a bonus too, I'll just budget a few bucks in case.

Jacket noted. I was gonna get cute and wear a hoodie, guess not.

Might do Friday for the Missouri women too if my buddy's in. Then Arkansas on the 16th I'll show up early like you said. That one's gonna be loud 🙌

Hoodie's probably fine for the building itself, it's the walk back to the car that gets you. I'd do a hoodie with a real jacket over it and just shed one if it's warm inside. It's been a chilly Nov for the late games the last couple years.

On parking, I'd second the lots off University. A couple of them have permit signs, so if a lot looks reserved, skip it and take the next one. Coming from MacArthur Park it's an easy hop out 630, but check for lane closures on University or around Asher before you leave. There's always some kind of orange barrel situation out that way and it's easier to know before you're sitting in it.

I'm curious about Ford's first year too, especially how the guards look. Doing Friday for the Missouri women and then Arkansas on the 16th is a good plan. Arkansas night is the one where I'd really get there early.

Glad you're going, Blake. One thing on the "free" question: I wouldn't count on it every night. Parking around campus can change depending on what else is going on, so it's worth checking the Trojans athletics site the day of. A few bucks in your pocket covers you either way.

Agree with Imani on layering. I've been at late-season games where the gym was nice and warm and the walk back to the lot felt like a January crappie trip on Lake Conway. Hoodie under a real jacket is the move.

Report back after Saturday and let us know how the guards look.

Update: buddy's in for Friday, so we're doing the Missouri women too 🙌 Taking your advice on the lots off University and I'll check the athletics site that day like Clay said, just in case they're charging. Real jacket is in the car already lol.

Funny about your kid's team liking the women's games better. Maybe that's the move for the first one, less crowd and louder gym.

Nice, you'll have a good run with Friday and then Saturday. The women's games are underrated honestly, tickets are cheap and you can actually hear the band and the squeaking sneakers 😂 Missouri should be a good early test for them.

If you're headed back toward MacArthur Park after, 630 is quick that time of night. I'm over in East Village so I usually go grab food after anyway, game nights are good for that.

Looking forward to hearing how Ford's guards look. Go Trojans 🏀