Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

A deal that would see the Cincinnati Bearcats and UCLA commence a home-and-home basketball series starting next season hasn't been finalized, according to UC.

Fan Rag Sports Network's Jon Rothstein reported Wednesday the series would begin in the upcoming season at UCLA's famed Pauley Pavilion with a return date in Cincinnati tentatively set for the 2018-19 season.

"There is no deal until the contract is signed and approved by our general counsel’s office," said Ryan Koslen, senior director of sports communications, in an email to The Enquirer.

UCLA ended UC's 2017 NCAA Tournament run March 20. The underdog Bearcats lost 79-67 to the Bruins in a Round of 32 game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Bearcats can't contain UCLA, out of tourney

The Bearcats would host its half of the home-and-home series in 2018-19, after UC is scheduled to have returned to Fifth-Third Arena, its on-campus home.

UC will play the upcoming season at Northern Kentucky University's BB&T Arena while Fifth-Third undergoes an $87 million renovation.

The Enquirer will update this report.