UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad ruled ineligible by the NCAA

Ninety minutes before UCLA opened its season against Indiana State in the first game at newly renovated Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins made an announcement that tempered the celebratory mood

UCLA revealed the NCAA has declared highly touted freshman Shabazz Muhammad ineligible indefinitely due to a violation of amateurism rules, not a surprising ruling but certainly a damaging one. Muhammad, a 6-foot-5 wing, was the centerpiece of a recruiting class UCLA hoped would revitalize a program that has missed the NCAA tournament two of the past three seasons.

What remains unclear is exactly how much time Muhammad will miss. The NCAA's initial ruling reportedly stems from a financial adviser paying for Muhammad's travel and lodging expenses during several of his recruiting visits, but the NCAA's statement says it's also looking into "other pending issues" that could impact the length of his suspension.

UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero issued a statement Friday that says the school is "extremely disappointed" by the NCAA's decision. The Bruins reportedly had hoped the fact that the financial adviser in question is a longtime family friend of Muhammad and his parents would lead the NCAA to reach a different decision.