Wednesday, March 11, 2020

No. 3 Gauchos Play No. 6 UC Riverside in Big West Tournament Thursday at Honda Center

https://www.ucsbgauchos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2019-20/releases/20200311lcvao8
Amadou Sow (Photo by Jeff Liang)

UCR vs. UCSB Men's Basketball Game Preview, by Gaucho Dan

(6) UC Riverside vs. (3) UCSB
Thursday, March 12, 2020, 2:30 pm PDT, ESPN3
  
Quick Bites
The Gauchos enter the fan-less Big West Tournament having won five of their last six games, but it feels as if they are staggering into the event. UC Riverside is having one of its best seasons at the Division I level, which isn't saying much...but it's enough to give UCSB pause. Both games with the Highlanders were struggles, and Santa Barbara feels fortunate to have come out on top in both affairs. The Big West banned fan entry for the Tournament...guess I'll go to Disneyland instead.

By the Numbers



UC Riverside UC Santa Barbara
Record 17-15 21-10
Away/Home/Neutral (D1) 0-0 (N) 0-0 (N)
Big West Conference 7-9 10-6
Record vs. Quadrant vs. Q3: 4-6 vs. Q4: 15-3
Composite (NET, kpi, sor, bpi, pom, sag) 231 166
DCI 230 163
DC2 212 162
RPI 274 165
NET 212 177
SOS (NET) 347 306
KPom Offensive Efficiency 295 106
KPom Defensive Efficiency 117 241
KPom Tempo 346 335
Points per game (overall/BWC) 64.3 (324th) / 63.0 (9th) 70.8 (187th) / 67.4 (6th)
FG% (overall/BWC) 43.6% (183rd) / 43.4% (6th) 45.8% (69th) / 44.1% (4th)
2-pt FG% (overall/BWC) 49.7% (182nd) / 48.7% (5th) 52.0% (96th) / 49.1% (3rd)
3-pt FG% (overall/BWC) 35.2% (79th) / 35.5% (4th) 34.2% (127th) / 35.0% (7th)
FT% (overall/BWC) 68.9% (248th) / 70.1% (6th) 75.6% (35th) / 75.8% (2nd)
Points allowed per game (overall/BWC) 60.6 (9th) / 61.8 (1st) 66.3 (87th) / 64.9 (3rd)
FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 40.4% (51st) / 41.7% (2nd) 44.9% (275th) / 45.4% (7th)
2-pt FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 43.0% (7th) / 42.6% (2nd) 50.4% (235th) / 51.3% (8th)
3-pt FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 35.2% (298th) / 39.6% (9th) 35.0% (289th) / 34.1% (2nd)
Off. rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 8.8 (248th) / 8.0 (8th) 10.3 (154th) / 9.4 (3rd)
Def. rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 23.0 (76th) / 23.1 (3rd) 21.6 (13th) / 22.1 (2nd)
Off. rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 7.3 (10th) / 7.3 (1st) 8.0 (23rd) / 8.0 (2nd)
Def. rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 27.0 (49th) / 25.9 (2nd) 24.0 (284th) / 22.7 (9th)
Rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 35.8 (122nd) / 33.9 (3rd) 34.2 (243rd) / 32.1 (8th)
Rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 30.3 (29th) / 30.4 (3rd) 29.6 (7th) / 30.1 (2nd)
Assists per game (overall/BWC) 10.7 (59th) / 10.9 (3rd) 11.4 (79th) / 11.3 (4th)
Steals per game (overall/BWC) 5.6 (94th) / 5.2 (5th) 4.5 (7th) / 4.2 (1st)
Blocks per game (overall/BWC) 2.7 (72nd) / 2.8 (5th) 2.5 (28th) / 2.4 (2nd)
Best wins (NET, Quadrant) @ Fresno State (162, Q3)
@ Nebraska (196, Q3)
@ Hawai'i (216, Q3)
@ UC Davis (217, Q3)
@ UT Arlington (130, Q2)
UC Irvine (113, Q3)
@ UC Riverside (212, Q3)
@ Louisiana (230, Q3)
Worst losses (NET, Quadrant) @ Long Beach St (304, Q4)
@ CS Fullerton (262, Q4)
CSUN (232, Q4)
Long Beach St (304, Q4)
CSUN (232, Q4)
Rice (215, Q4)
Trend won 2 in a row, won 3 of 4 won 2 in a row, won 5 of 6

UCSB-UC Riverside History
UCSB and UC Riverside have played 47 times in a series that began in 1955. The Gauchos hold an all-time edge of 36-10, including a 65-63 win on Jan. 25 when Max Heidegger made a three-pointer with 2.8 seconds to play and a 65-60 victory on Feb. 27 when Heidegger went down with a severe ankle injury. The two schools have only played each other once in the Big West Tournament: in 2006, UCSB destroyed UC Riverside 76-44 in a 5/8 1st-round matchup in the stepladder era. UC Riverside is 3-13 overall in the BWT, while UCSB is 24-32.

UC Riverside Roster
Probable Starters
Arinze Chidom (1)
JR, F, 6-9, 240, Oakland, CA, Bishop O'Dowd HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 24.8 5.6 .502 3.0 .422 2.9 .692 1.7 6.6 1.4 0.8 0.5 2.4 3.3 11.8
Last 5 games 26.4 6.2 .623 3.0 .458 3.8 .719 1.6 6.0 1.2 1.0 0.4 2.8 3.8 14.4
vs. UCSB 31.0 5.5 .617 4.0 .367 2.0 .250 1.0 5.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 3.5 3.5 12.5
Last game 31 10 .800 3 .333 8 .875 2 5 2 0 0 0 3 26

Khyber Kabellis (13)
SR, G, 6-4, 185, Escondido, CA, Escondido HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 24.2 3.3 .370 2.8 .229 1.2 .683 0.2 3.3 3.2 0.9 0.2 1.5 1.4 5.8
Last 5 games 28.2 2.2 .036 2.8 .417 0.8 1.000 0.2 2.6 2.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.8 4.2
vs. UCSB 29.5 2.5 .375 4.5 .225 0.5 .000 0.0 4.0 2.5 0.0 0.0 1.0 2.5 6.0
Last game 34 0 .000 6 .333 0 .000 0 3 5 1 2 2 3 6

Callum McRae (25)
SO, C, 7-1, 275, Palmerston North, New Zealand, Palmerston North Boys HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 23.8 7.5 .559 0.0 .000 2.0 .686 1.7 6.2 1.4 0.3 1.0 2.2 1.9 9.6
Last 5 games 27.4 8.4 .532 0.0 .000 2.8 .750 1.0 6.8 1.4 0.2 1.6 2.4 2.6 10.8
vs. UCSB 23.0 7.5 .695 0.0 .000 2.0 .250 2.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 1.5 2.0 2.0 12.0
Last game 21 6 .333 0 .000 0 .000 1 5 1 0 1 3 0 4

Dominick Pickett (22) 
JR, G, 6-3, 210, Moreno Valley, CA, Rancho Verde HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 26.5 2.3 .473 3.4 .402 1.3 .884 0.2 2.6 1.5 0.7 0.0 0.7 1.6 7.7
Last 5 games 28.0 3.6 .341 3.8 .333 0.8 1.000 0.2 3.2 1.2 0.8 0.0 0.8 1.8 6.2
vs. UCSB 26.5 2.0 .125 6.0 .200 0.0 .000 0.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 0.0 0.5 1.5 4.0
Last game 31 2 .500 3 .667 0 .000 0 3 3 0 0 1 3 8

Dikymbe Martin (15)
SR, G, 6-1, 170, Riverside, CA, John W. North HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 20.8 2.1 .393 4.5 .406 1.4 .738 0.2 1.6 1.3 0.7 0.1 0.7 1.0 8.1
Last 5 games 23.0 3.2 .250 4.2 .409 2.8 .679 0.4 2.2 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.6 0.8 9.2
vs. UCSB 26.5 2.0 .500 4.0 .643 5.0 .524 0.0 2.5 1.5 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 10.5
Last game 35 3 .333 11 .545 1 .000 0 4 3 2 1 1 1 20

Key Reserves
Angus McWilliam (23) 
SO, F, 6-10, 240, Christchurch, New Zealand, Middleton Grange HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 17.7 3.6 .580 1.1 .283 1.9 .738 1.8 4.5 0.2 0.2 0.4 1.2 2.8 6.3
Last 5 games 15.4 2.4 .567 0.0 .000 2.0 .792 1.8 4.4 0.0 0.2 0.4 1.4 2.8 4.0
vs. UCSB 17.5 2.0 .750 0.0 .000 4.0 .750 2.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 3.0 6.0
Last game 14 1 1.000 0 .000 0 .000 0 3 0 0 1 2 2 2

George Willborn III (35) 
JR, G, 6-3, 195, Chicago, IL, De La Salle Institute


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 21.6 4.5 .473 1.5 .287 2.2 .380 1.2 4.3 0.8 0.9 0.3 1.9 2.4 6.5
Last 5 games 21.6 3.2 .487 1.6 .200 3.4 .288 1.2 3.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.0 2.0 5.8
vs. UCSB 25.0 3.0 .667 2.0 .000 6.0 .500 1.0 2.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 4.0 7.0
Last game 13 1 .000 0 .000 2 .000 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0

Zyon Pullin (5) 
FR, G, 6-4, 195, Pleasant Hill, CA, College Park HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 17.6 2.3 .376 1.6 .292 1.3 .670 0.2 2.1 1.8 0.3 0.1 1.4 1.3 4.1
Last 5 games 15.2 2.0 .100 0.8 .250 0.8 .750 0.0 1.6 1.6 0.6 0.2 1.0 1.8 2.0
vs. UCSB 11.5 1.5 .500 0.5 .500 1.5 1.000 0.0 1.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 1.0 2.5 4.0
Last game 11 1 .000 0 .000 0 .000 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 0

DJ McDonald (3) 
SO, G, 5-11, 175, Sylmar, CA, Bishop Alemany HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 14.0 0.3 .417 2.9 .322 0.7 .850 0.0 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.4 1.0 4.0
Last 5 games 10.0 0.0 .000 1.6 .167 0.0 .000 0.0 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.6 1.2
vs. UCSB 9.5 0.0 .000 1.0 .250 0.0 .000 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.5
Last game 8 0 .000 1 .000 0 .000 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0

Dragon Elkaz (0) 
SO, G, 6-5, 205, Green Valley, Australia, Westfield Sports HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 15.2 0.3 .563 3.7 .325 0.3 .800 0.1 1.2 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.5 1.0 4.7
Last 5 games 6.6 0.2 1.000 0.8 .167 0.0 .000 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.0 1.0
vs. UCSB 8.5 0.0 .000 1.0 .250 0.0 .000 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.5
Last game 2 0 .000 0 .000 0 .000 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0

UC Santa Barbara Roster
Probable Starters
Amadou Sow (12)
SO, F, 6-9, 235, Bamako, Mali, Prolific Prep Academy


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 26.8 8.5 .579 1.4 .310 3.7 .689 2.3 7.0 0.8 0.7 1.1 2.5 2.7 14.1
Last 5 games 28.0 9.0 .503 1.0 .000 3.8 .825 2.0 6.0 0.8 0.6 1.4 2.2 2.4 11.6
vs. UC-Riverside 29.5 9.5 .434 1.5 .500 2.0 .750 1.0 5.5 1.5 1.5 0.5 3.5 2.0 11.0
Last game 23 9 .556 1 .000 8 .500 3 7 1 1 0 3 2 14

Jaquori McLaughlin (3)
JR, G, 6-4, 190, Tacoma, WA, Peninsula HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 34.2 5.6 .470 3.6 .396 4.6 .780 0.3 3.3 4.1 1.0 0.2 1.9 2.3 13.3
Last 5 games 37.6 4.4 .220 4.0 .550 5.0 .734 0.4 2.8 6.2 1.0 0.2 2.4 2.0 12.2
vs. UC-Riverside 36.5 7.5 .222 2.5 .500 7.0 .385 0.0 2.5 5.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 15.0
Last game 40 5 .600 6 .500 2 1.000 1 2 6 3 0 3 2 17

Matt Freeman (2)
SR, F, 6-10, 220, Auckland, New Zealand, Westlake Boys HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 25.5 3.5 .440 4.1 .407 1.7 .848 0.6 4.2 1.9 0.3 0.1 1.6 2.1 9.5
Last 5 games 27.0 3.4 .400 3.8 .227 1.8 .889 0.4 4.8 1.6 0.2 0.0 2.0 1.2 7.4
vs. UC-Riverside 30.0 2.5 .500 3.5 .200 1.5 .334 0.5 3.5 2.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.5 7.0
Last game 31 3 .333 5 .400 0 .000 1 4 3 0 0 1 0 8

Devearl Ramsey (4)
JR, G, 6-0, 185, Los Angeles, CA, Sierra Canyon HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 33.3 3.8 .444 3.1 .265 2.5 .843 0.4 3.8 2.5 0.9 0.0 2.0 2.2 8.3
Last 5 games 34.8 3.6 .406 4.2 .477 3.4 .958 0.2 3.0 2.2 0.8 0.0 2.2 2.8 10.8
vs. UC-Riverside 33.0 3.0 .250 2.5 .375 3.0 1.000 0.0 2.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 2.0 2.5 10.5
Last game 40 6 .000 5 .200 4 1.000 1 3 4 2 0 3 3 7

Brandon Cyrus (11)
SR, G, 6-5, 190, Oakville, Canada, La Lumiere School


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 26.0 4.0 .452 2.0 .152 1.6 .654 1.7 3.9 1.4 0.8 0.1 0.8 2.2 6.0
Last 5 games 31.6 4.4 .367 2.8 .150 2.2 .563 2.4 7.0 1.8 1.4 0.2 1.0 1.8 7.0
vs. UC-Riverside 26.5 4.5 .584 1.0 .000 2.0 .750 2.0 7.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 2.5 6.5
Last game 35 5 .600 4 .250 4 1.000 3 7 2 0 0 1 3 13

Key Reserves
Robinson Idehen (35)
JR, F, 6-10, 230, Tudela, Spain, Modesto Christian HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 14.7 3.4 .717 0.0 .000 2.3 .481 1.8 4.2 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.9 2.3 5.8
Last 5 games 16.6 5.4 .705 0.0 .000 2.6 .639 2.0 4.8 0.4 0.8 0.4 0.6 3.2 9.2
vs. UC-Riverside 13.0 3.5 .750 0.0 .000 1.0 .500 1.5 3.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 1.0 3.5 5.5
Last game 16 3 1.000 0 .000 1 .000 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 6

Sekou Toure (0)
SO, G, 6-5, 185, Conarky, Guinea, Prolific Prep Academy


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 13.2 2.3 .459 0.5 .100 0.9 .633 1.4 2.6 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.7 1.4 3.1
Last 5 games 8.8 2.0 .333 0.2 .000 0.6 .250 1.6 3.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.0 1.4
vs. UC-Riverside 9.0 1.0 .250 0.5 .000 1.0 .250 1.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.5
Last game 11 4 .500 0 .000 1 .000 4 6 1 0 0 0 1 4

Jay Nagle (5) 
SO, F, 6-8, 215, Vacavile, CA, Will C. Wood HS


MP 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
Season 9.8 0.5 .426 1.4 .379 0.2 .667 0.1 1.1 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.6 1.9
Last 5 games 6.2 0.6 .333 0.4 .000 0.0 .000 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.4
vs. UC-Riverside 5.0 0.0 .000 0.0 .000 0.0 .000 0.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
Last game 4 0 .000 1 .000 0 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

UCSB Athletics Events to be Conducted Without Fans for Foreseeable Future, 2020 Big West Basketball Tournaments Will Also be Played With no Spectators

https://www.ucsbgauchos.com/general/2019-20/releases/20200310u2ivol
 UCSB Athletics Events to be Conducted Without Fans for Foreseeable Future, 2020 Big West Basketball Tournaments Will Also be Played With no Spectators

Friday, March 6, 2020

Cal Poly vs. UCSB Men's Basketball Game Preview, by Gaucho Dan

Cal Poly at UCSB
Saturday, March 7, 2020, 7 pm PST, BigWest.tv
 
Quick Bites
It wasn't pretty, but the Gauchos took care of business vs. Cal State Fullerton. Now UCSB turns its sights to finalizing a high seeding for the Big West Tournament. If UCSB wins as expected, the Gauchos can do no worse than the 3 seed. They could still be a 3 seed with a loss, but could fall as low as a 5. Interestingly, Hawai'i is our friend if we win...as they will have taken out our main rival for the 2 seed in CSUN. But Hawai'i is our foe if we lose, as it's a Hawai'i win that knocks us down to at least a 4 (and a Davis win at Riverside) would plummet us to 5. Cal Poly has a fighter's chance to make the BWT...they need a win and a Fullerton loss at home to Long Beach to sneak as UC Irvine's opening night plaything.

By the Numbers



Cal Poly UC Santa Barbara
Record 7-22 20-10
Away/Home/Neutral (D1) 0-14 (A) 10-3 (H)
Big West Conference 4-11 9-6
Record vs. Quadrant vs. Q3: 0-7 vs. Q4: 14-3
Composite (NET, kpi, sor, bpi, pom, sag) 322 164
DCI 319 160
DC2 322 157
RPI 326 170
NET 324 175
SOS (NET) 145 295
KPom Offensive Efficiency 304 97
KPom Defensive Efficiency 304 232
KPom Tempo 178 332
Points per game (overall/BWC) 67.6 (278th) / 71.2 (5th) 70.9 (188th) / 67.3 (6th)
FG% (overall/BWC) 41.9% (275th) / 42.0% (8th) 45.9% (63rd) / 44.2% (4th)
2-pt FG% (overall/BWC) 45.6% (330th) / 45.5% (8th) 52.1% (90th) / 49.1% (3rd)
3-pt FG% (overall/BWC) 34.5% (113th) / 34.5% (7th) 34.3% (130th) / 35.3% (5th)
FT% (overall/BWC) 69.1% (238th) / 69.4% (7th) 75.8% (30th) / 76.2% (2nd)
Points allowed per game (overall/BWC) 75.1 (308th) / 77.1 (9th) 66.2 (90th) / 64.8 (3rd)
FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 45.4% (297th) / 45.6% (8th) 44.7% (271st) / 45.1% (5th)
2-pt FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 50.0% (220th) / 49.5% (6th) 50.2% (235th) / 51.1% (8th)
3-pt FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 37.3% (337th) / 37.9% (8th) 34.7% (278th) / 33.3% (1st)
Off. rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 8.2 (307th) / 8.9 (5th) 10.1 (169th) / 9.0 (4th)
Def. rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 27.4 (249th) / 29.3 (9th) 21.6 (17th) / 22.1 (1st)
Off. rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 9.4 (107th) / 8.9 (5th) 8.1 (34th) / 8.2 (3rd)
Def. rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 24.5 (299th) / 25.3 (4th) 24.1 (281st) / 22.9 (9th)
Rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 32.8 (326th) / 34.1 (3rd) 34.2 (244th) / 31.9 (8th)
Rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 36.9 (203rd) / 38.1 (9th) 29.7 (10th) / 30.3 (1st)
Assists per game (overall/BWC) 13.6 (214th) / 13.4 (6th) 11.4 (80th) / 11.2 (4th)
Steals per game (overall/BWC) 6.5 (170th) / 5.5 (6th) 4.5 (6th) / 4.0 (1st)
Blocks per game (overall/BWC) 3.3 (178th) / 3.8 (8th) 2.4 (24th) / 2.3 (2nd)
Best wins (NET, Quadrant) Siena (163, Q4)  @ UT Arlington (128, Q2)
UC Irvine (112, Q3)
Worst losses (NET, Quadrant) CSU Bakersfield (283, Q4)
vs. LIU (268, Q4)
Long Beach St (297, Q4)
Trend Lost 6 in a row Won 4 of last 5, 7 of last 9

UCSB - Cal Poly History
UCSB has played Cal Poly 117 times in a series that began in 1937. The Gauchos hold an 86-31 all-time advantage over the Mustangs, including a 63-45 win on Jan. 8 in San Luis Obispo. They won both games between the schools last season, winning 65-56 in Santa Barbara and 92-82 on the road. Santa Barbara has won five straight and 12 of the last 13 games between the Blue-Green rivals.

Head Coach
John Smith, who most recently helped Cal State Fullerton to three successive postseason appearances as the team's associate head coach, is in his 1st season as head coach of the Cal Poly men's basketball program. Smith helped guide the Titans to one of the most successful periods in program history. During Smith's final three seasons, Cal State Fullerton qualified for the 2018 NCAA Tournament and earned a berth in the College Insider.com Postseason Tournament in both 2017 and 2019. The Titans averaged 18 wins per year over the last three seasons and finished among the top four programs in the Big West Conference standings.

Prior to his successful tenure at Cal State Fullerton, Smith served as head coach at Riverside City College (2004-13), compiling a 196-87 (.693) overall record – the second-highest win total in school history – while leading the Tigers to four conference championships (2005, 2007, 2010-11), nine postseason berths, five 20-win seasons and the 2009 California Community College Athletic Association state championship (the school's first in 43 years).

As head coach and assistant athletics director at San Bernardino Valley College (2000-04), Smith posted an 88-40 overall record while directing the program to the 2003 CCCAA state tournament semifinals. He was named the 2003 Foothill Conference Coach of the Year while leading the program to a league championship.

His junior college coaching record stands at 265-118 (.692). In 2016, the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association inducted Smith into its Hall of Fame for his outstanding work in building two programs and leading each to the state tournament.

Smith's coaching resumé also includes positions as an assistant coach at two-year programs College of Southern Idaho and Chaffey College and J.W. North High School (Riverside) and Valley View High School (Moreno Valley, Calif.). He also spent one season as the West Coast scout for the WNBA's Detroit Shock.

Roster
Probable Starters
Junior Ballard (24) SO, G, 6-3, 200, Stockton, CA, Modesto Christian School
  • Season: 13.2 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.3 ast, .408 (6.6 attempts) from two, .358 (4.2 attempts) from three, .733 (4.5 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 15.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.2 ast, .344 (6.4 attempts) from two, .300 (6.0 attempts) from three, .794 (6.8 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 25 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, .500 (3-6) from two, .333 (3-9) from three, .769 (10-13) from FT
  • vs. UCSB: 0 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, .000 (0-3) from two, .000 (0-2) from three
Colby Rogers (3) FR, G, 6-5, 190, Covington, GA, Roselle Catholic HS
  • Season: 8.9 pts, 2.6 reb, 0.8 ast, .453 (4.0 attempts) from two, .368 (4.0 attempts) from three, .733 (1.0 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 9.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.8 ast, .375 (4.8 attempts) from two, .280 (5.0 attempts) from three, .900 (2.0 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 0 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, .000 (0-4) from two, .333 (0-4) from three
  • vs. UCSB: 16 pts, 2 reb, 0 ast, .500 (1-2) from two, .571 (4-7) from three, .500 (2-4) from FT
Tuukka Jaakkola (14) SO, F, 6-10, 240, Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki Basketball Academy
  • Season: 7.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 0.7 ast, .516 (5.3 attempts) from two, .000 (0.0 attempts) from three, .613 (2.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 4.2 pts, 2.4 reb, 0.0 ast, .375 (4.8 attempts) from two, .760 (0.8 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 4 pts, 3 reb, 0 ast, .333 (2-6) from two
  • vs. UCSB: 2 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, .333 (1-3) from two
Job Alexander (1) SR, G, 6-4, 200, Milwaukee, WI
  • Season: 4.0 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.4 ast, .465 (3.0 attempts) from two, .400 (0.2 attempts) from three, .588 (1.8 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 5.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.8 ast, .381 (4.2 attempts) from two, .667 (0.6 attempts) from three, .625 (1.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 5 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast, .200 (2-10) from two, .500 (1-2) from FT
  • vs. UCSB: 6 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, .500 (1-2) from two, .800 (4-5) from FT
Mark Crowe (5) JR, F, 6-5, 205, Dallas, TX, Woodrow Wilson HS
  • Season: 3.3 pts, 1.9 reb, 0.4 ast, .500 (0.4 attempts) from two, .346 (2.7 attempts) from three, .286 (0.2 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 2.0 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.8 ast, .000 (0.2 attempts) from two, .375 (1.6 attempts) from three, .500 (0.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 3 pts, 0 reb, 0 ast, 1.000 (1-1) from three
  • vs. UCSB: 0 pts, 1 reb, 0 ast, .000 (0-1) from three
Key Reserves
Jamal Smith (25) SR, G, 6-3, 170, Moreno Valley, CA, Rancho Verde HS
  • Season: 6.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.4 ast, .472 (4.2 attempts) from two, .286 (1.7 attempts) from three, .652 (1.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 4.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.8 ast, .529 (3.4 attempts) from two, .200 (1.0 attempts) from three, 1.000 (0.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 0 pts, 1.0 reb, 0 ast, .000 (0-1) from two
  • vs. UCSB: 6 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, .500 (2-4) from two, .000 (0-2) from three, 1.000 (2-2) from FT
Keith Smith (0) SR G, 6-0, 170, Danville, CA, Montverde Academy
  • Season: 4.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.8 ast, .461 (2.7 attempts) from two, .414 (1.0 attempts) from three, .622 (1.3 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 5.4 pts, 2.6 reb, 2.4 ast, .545 (2.2 attempts) from two, .333 (1.8 attempts) from three, .600 (2.0 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 2 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, 1.000 (1-1) from two
  • vs. UCSB: 0 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, .000 (0-2) from two
Malek Harwell (2) SR, F, 6-5, 188, Pocatello, ID, Century HS
  • Season: 7.3 pts, 2.6 reb, 0.7 ast, .393 (2.7 attempts) from two, .339 (2.7 attempts) from three, .864 (2.9 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 6.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.0 ast, .286 (2.8 attempts) from two, .417 (2.4 attempts) from three, .846 (2.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 11 pts, 0 reb, 0 ast, 1.000 (2-2) from two, .333 (1-3) from three, 1.000 (4-4) from FT
  • vs. UCSB: 11 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, .400 (2-5) from two, .250 (1-4) from three, .800 (4-5) from FT 
Kyle Colvin (33) SO, F, 6-6, 200, San Luis Obispo, CA, Mission Prep HS
  • Season: 7.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.6 ast, .391 (3.5 attempts) from two, .342 (3.0 attempts) from three, .811 (1.5 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 5.0 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.2 ast, .333 (1.8 attempts) from two, .625 (1.6 attempts) from three, 1.000 (0.8 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 13 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, .200 (1-5) from two, 1.000 (3-3) from three, 1.000 (2-2) from FT
  • vs. UCSB: 0 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, .000 (0-3) from two, .000 (0-3) from three
Alimamy Koroma (15) FR, F, 6-8, 220, Prolific Prep Academy
  • Season: 5.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 0.1 ast, .581 (3.4 attempts) from two, .200 (0.2 attempts) from three, .612 (2.0 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 5.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 0.0 ast, .688 (3.2 attempts) from two, .462 (2.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 10 pts, 8 reb, 0 ast, .500 (4-8), .400 (2-5) from FT
  • vs. UCSB: 0 pts, 1 reb, 0 ast 
Nolan Taylor (31) SR, F, 6-7, 260, Keller, TX, Keller Central HS
  • Season: 6.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 0.4 ast, .411 (5.2 attempts) from two, .000 (0.1 attempts) from three, .694 (2.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 11.8 pts, 4.4 reb, 0.6 ast, .457 (9.2 attempts) from two, .773 (4.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: DNP
  • vs. UCSB: 4 pts, 2 reb, 0 ast, .333 (1-3) from two, 1.000 (2-2) from FT
UCSB Roster
Probable Starters
Amadou Sow (12) SO, F, 6-9, 235, Bamako, Mali, Prolific Prep Academy
  • Season: 14.0 pts, 7.0 reb, 0.8 ast, .574 (8.5 attempts) from two, .390 (1.4 attempts) from three, .757 (3.6 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 10.4 pts, 5.6 reb, 0.6 ast, .488 (8.6 attempts) from two, .000 (1.0 attempts) from three, .833 (2.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 18 pts, 9 reb, 1 ast, .500 (7-14) from two, .800 (4-5) from FT
  • vs. Cal Poly: 13 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, .500 (3-6) from two, .500 (1-2) from three, .667 (4-6) from FT
Jaquori McLaughlin (3) JR, G, 6-4, 190, Tacoma, WA, Peninsula HS
  • Season: 13.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 4.1 ast, .463 (5.7 attempts) from two, .402 (3.5 attempts) from three, .793 (4.7 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 11.0 pts, 2.8 reb, 6.0 ast, .222 (5.4 attempts) from two, .471 (3.4 attempts) from three, . 705 (5.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 5 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, .000 (0-2) from two, .250 (1-4) from three, .500 (2-4) from FT
  • vs. Cal Poly: 15 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, .250 (1-4) from two, .750 (3-4) from three, 1.000 (4-4) from FT
Matt Freeman (2) SR, F, 6-10, 220, Auckland, New Zealand, Westlake Boys HS
  • Season: 9.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.9 ast, .467 (3.5 attempts) from two, .382 (4.1 attempts) from three, .885 (1.7 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 8.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.4 ast, .500 (4.0 attempts) from two, .250 (3.2 attempts) from three, .889 (1.8 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 10 pts, 14 reb, 0 ast, .000 (0-2) from two, .400 (2-5) from three, 1.000 (4-4) from FT
  • vs. Cal Poly: 8 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, .000 (0-3) from two, .400 (2-5) from three, 1.000 (2-2) from FT
Devearl Ramsey (4) JR, G, 6-0, 185, Los Angeles, CA, Sierra Canyon HS
  • Season: 8.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.5 ast, .439 (3.7 attempts) from two, .330 (3.0 attempts) from three, .873 (2.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 11.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.0 ast, .286 (2.8 attempts) from two, .526 (3.8 attempts) from three, .947 (3.8 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 13 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, .500 (1-2) from two, .500 (2-4) from three, .833 (5-6) from FT
  • vs. Cal Poly: 6 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast, .750 (3-4) from two, .000 (0-2) from three
Brandon Cyrus (11) SR, G, 6-5, 190, Oakville, Canada, La Lumiere School
  • Season: 5.8 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.4 ast, .468 (4.0 attempts) from two, .185 (1.9 attempts) from three, .651 (1.5 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 5.6 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.4 ast, .429 (4.2 attempts) from two, .182 (2.2 attempts) from three, .571 (1.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 3 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, .000 (0-3) from two, .000 (0-2) from three, .750 (3-4) from FT
  • vs. Cal Poly: 8 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, .800 (4-5) from two
Key Reserves
Robinson Idehen (35) JR, F, 6-10, 230, Tudela, Spain, Modesto Christian HS
  • Season: 5.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 0.4 ast, .683 (3.4 attempts) from two, .000 (0.0 attempts) from three, .536 (2.3 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 8.0 pts, 4.6 reb, 0.2 ast, .640 (5.0 attempts) from two, .667 (2.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 6 pts, 2 reb, 0 ast, .500 (2-4) from two, 1.000 (2-2) from FT
  • vs. Cal Poly: 4 pts, 4 reb, 0 ast, 1.000 (2-2) from two, .000 (0-3) from FT
Sekou Toure (0) SO, G, 6-5, 185, Conarky, Guinea, Prolific Prep Academy
  • Season: 3.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 0.5 ast, .485 (2.2 attempts) from two, .143 (0.5 attempts) from three, .750 (0.9 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 0.6 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.6 ast, .167 (1.2 attempts) from two, .000 (0.2 attempts) from three, .500 (0.4 attempts) from FT
  • Last game: 0 pts, 2 reb, 0 ast, .000 (0-4) from two
  • vs. Cal Poly: 6 pts, 2 reb, 0 ast, .500 (3-6) from two
Jay Nagle (5) SO, F, 6-8, 215, Vacavile, CA, Will C. Wood HS
  • Season: 2.0 pts, 1.1 reb, 0.5 ast, .429 (0.5 attempts) from two, .341 (1.4 attempts) from three, .857 (0.2 attempts) from FT
  • Last 5 games: 1.0 pts, 0.4 reb, 0.4 ast, .333 (0.6 attempts) from two, .500 (0.4 attempts) from three
  • Last game: 0 pts, 0 reb, 0 ast, .000 (0-1) from three
  • vs. Cal Poly: 3 pts, 1 reb, 0 ast, .000 (0-1) from two, 1.000 (1-1) from three
Keys to the game and prediction
I'll let you guys have at it. It's senior night for the Gauchos, honoring Max Heidegger, Andrew Pickles and Matt Freeman.

Gauchos Host Cal Poly in Regular Season Finale Saturday Night, Seniors Saluted Pre-Game

https://www.ucsbgauchos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2019-20/releases/20200306lsvevi
Devearl Ramsey (Photo by Jeff Liang)

Gauchos Hang On for 20th Win, 55-53 Over Cal State Fullerton

https://www.ucsbgauchos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2019-20/releases/2020030625okpo
Amadou Sow (Photo by Jeff Liang)

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

CSF vs. UCSB Men's Basketball Game Preview, by Gaucho Dan

Cal State Fullerton at UCSB
Thursday, March 5, 2020, 7 pm PST, BigWest.tv
 
Quick Bite
It's the penultimate game of the schedule, and the Gauchos have a glide path into the Big West Tournament with home games vs. 5-9 Cal State Fullerton and 4-10 Cal Poly. Even without the services of the great Max Heidegger, UCSB should be able to post two victories. Combine that with at least one probable CSUN loss (the Matadors visit Irvine Wednesday night and host Hawai'i Saturday) and the Gauchos be the #2 seed in the BWT. Fullerton has a lot to play for. Its seeding is complicated by its 1-1 splits with Riverside and Cal Poly and its Saturday finale vs. Long Beach. The Titans can still miss the BWT.

By the Numbers


Cal State Fullerton UC Santa Barbara
Record 10-19 19-10
Away/Home/Neutral (D1) 4-10 (A) 9-3 (H)
Big West Conference 5-9 8-6
Record vs. Quadrant vs. Q3: 1-8 vs. Q4: 13-3
Composite (NET, kpi, sor, bpi, pom, sag) 280 162
DCI 302 151
DC2 296 152
RPI 300 170
NET 269 169
SOS (NET) 264 291
KPom Offensive Efficiency 277 79
KPom Defensive Efficiency 250 247
KPom Tempo 122 333
Points per game (overall/BWC) 68.9 (245th) / 74.3 (3rd) 71.4 (169th) / 68.2 (6th)
FG% (overall/BWC) 43.4% (201st) / 44.3% (5th) 46.3% (45th) / 45.0% (4th)
2-pt FG% (overall/BWC) 48.4% (243rd) / 48.9% (5th) 52.7% (73rd) / 50.2% (2nd)
3-pt FG% (overall/BWC) 33.4% (179th) / 34.6% (7th) 34.4% (122nd) / 35.5% (5th)
FT% (overall/BWC) 67.8% (277th) / 67.7% (9th) 75.6% (32nd) / 75.8% (2nd)
Points allowed per game (overall/BWC) 72.0 (256th) / 78.4 (9th) 66.7 (106th) / 65.6 (3rd)
FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 44.4% (254th) / 45.9% (8th) 45.0% (284th) / 45.8% (6th)
2-pt FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 49.5% (205th) / 49.7% (6th) 50.3% (239th) / 51.4% (8th)
3-pt FG% allowed (overall/BWC) 33.6% (220th) / 37.7% (7th) 35.3% (295th) / 34.6% (3rd)
Off. rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 8.0 (309th) / 9.1 (3rd) 10.1 (182nd) / 8.9 (4th)
Def. rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 27.2 (259th) / 26.9 (8th) 21.6 (9th) / 22.1 (1st)
Off. rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 9.0 (82nd) / 9.3 (6th) 8.0 (27th) / 8.1 (3rd)
Def. rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 25.7 (213th) / 25.1 (6th) 23.8 (308th) / 22.2 (9th)
Rebounds per game (overall/BWC) 33.7 (279th) / 34.1 (3rd) 33.9 (272nd) / 31.1 (8th)
Rebounds allowed per game (overall/BWC) 36.2 (204th) / 36.1 (7th) 29.6 (6th) / 30.1 (1st)
Assists per game (overall/BWC) 12.2 (132nd) / 12.9 (5th) 11.5 (77th) / 11.5 (3rd)
Steals per game (overall/BWC) 6.2 (133rd) / 6.1 (7th) 4.4 (6th) / 3.9 (1st)
Blocks per game (overall/BWC) 3.1 (160th) / 3.8 (9th) 2.3 (18th) / 2.2 (2nd)
Best wins (NET, Quadrant) @ UCLA (75, Q1)
@ UC Davis (212, Q3)
@ UT Arlington (127, Q2)
UC Irvine (107, Q3)
@ UC Riverside (208, Q3)
@ Louisiana (234, Q3) 
Worst losses (NET, Quadrant) vs Denver (327, Q4)
@ Cal Poly (324, Q4)
San Diego (223, Q4)
Long Beach St (294, Q4)
CSUN (239, Q4)
Rice (216, Q4)
Trend lost 3 in a row lost 1, won 3 of last 4

UCSB - Cal State Fullerton History
UCSB and Cal State Fullerton have played 90 times in a series that began during the 1975-76 season. The Gauchos hold an all-time advantage of 48-41. The Titans won two out of three games between the two schools in 2018-19, with Fullerton eliminating UCSB in last year's BWT semifinals. On Feb. 20, UCSB defeated Fullerton 75-66.

Head Coach
In his seventh season at Cal State Fullerton, Dedrique Taylor has an overall record of 94-127. In 2018-19, the Titans made it to the Big West Tournament Final for the second straight year, the first time that has been accomplished in program history, but were unable to secure the trophy and return to the NCAA Tournament. Fullerton did earn its third consecutive postseason berth, also a program first, as it hosted CSU Bakersfield in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. The Titans went 16-18 on the year and 10-6 in Big West Conference action to take third place in the standings.

Taylor led the 2017-18 squad to a Big West Tournament Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007-08 and only the third time in program history. The year prior, he led the 2016-17 team to the postseason for the first time in program history since the 2011-12 season. The Titans hosted Weber State in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, also marking the first time in school history that the team hosted a postseason game.

Taylor played two seasons for Bob Williams at UC Davis, and was an assistant at the school after Williams' departure for UCSB. Taylor was also an assistant at Nevada, Portland State, Loyola Marymount and Arizona State, where he crossed paths with James Harden.

Roster
Probable Starters
  • Brandon Kamga (1) SR, G, 6-5, 215 Reston, VA, South Lakes HS, 15.3 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 1.3 Ast -- Last 3 games: 36.7 Min, 16.7 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 1.0 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 20 points (9-18 FG, 1-4 three, 1-1 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 turnover in 40 minutes. Shooting percentages: .492 from two, .331 from three (5.0 attempts per game) and .809 from FT. 
  • Austen Awosika (10) SR, G, 6-3, 193, Carson, CA, Ayala HS (Chino Hills), 13.0 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 4.1 Ast -- Last 3 games: 35.7 Min, 8.7 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 1.0 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 4 points (2-4 FG), 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 1 turnover in 29 minutes. Shooting percentages: .480 from two, .192 from three (1.8 attempts per game) and .569 from FT. 
  • Jackson Rowe (34) SR, F, 6-7, 210, Toronto, Canada, Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, UT), 15.7 Pts, 7.6 Reb, 1.7 Ast -- Last 3 games: 27.7 Min, 16.3 Pts, 7.0 Reb, 0.7 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 18 points (7-14 FG, 3-6 three, 1-3 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 turnovers in 30 minutes. Shooting percentages: .504 from two, .411 from three (4.1 attempts per game) and .688 from FT. 
  • Davon Clare (5) SR, F, 6-5, 220, Killeen, TX, Harker Heights HS, 8.7 Pts, 5.7 Reb, 2.1 Ast -- Last 3 games: 30.3 Min, 8.0 Pts, 6.7 Reb, 1.7 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 9 points (3-8 FG, 0-1 three, 3-4 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 turnover in 31 minutes. Shooting percentages: .521 from two, .338 from three (2.2 attempts per game) and .750 from FT. 
  • Johnny Wang (33) JR, F, 6-9, 245, Beijing, China, Santa Margarita Catholic HS, 3.7 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 0.2 Ast -- Last 3 games: 19.0 Min, 11.0 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 0.3 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 2 points (1-3 FG) and 2 rebounds in 11 minutes. Shooting percentages: .548 from two, .333 from three (0.2 attempts per game) and .792 from FT.
  •  
Key Reserves
  • Wayne Arnold (11) SO, G, 6-4, 170, Los Angeles, CA, Dominguez HS, 9.0 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 0.6 Ast -- Last 3 games: 27.7 Min, 7.3 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 0.0 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 11 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 three, 1-3 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 block and 2 turnovers in 31 minutes. Shooting percentages: .371 from two, .346 from three (5.3 attempts per game) and .939 from FT.
  • Tory San Antonio (23) FR, G, 6-3, 165, Moreno Valley, CA, Rancho Verde HS, 3.0 Pts, 1.8 Reb, 0.9 Ast -- Last 3 games: 19.3 Min, 4.3 Pts, 1.3 Reb, 2.0 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 0 points (0-1 FG), 1 rebound, 3 assists and 2 blocks in 14 minutes. Shooting percentages: .364 from two, .300 from three (1.3 attempts per game) and .704 from FT.
  • Daniel Venzant (2) SO, G, 5-10, 163, Midland, TX, Midland Christian HS, 2.8 Pts, 0.9 Reb, 1.0 Ast -- Last 3 games: 8.3 Min, 3.7 Pts, 1.7 Reb, 1.0 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: DNP. Shooting percentages: .500 from two, .500 from three (0.6 attempts per game) and .625 from FT. 
  • Josh Pitts (24) JR, F, 6-9, 248, San Antonio, TX, Memorial HS, 1.8 Pts, 1.4 Reb, 0.2 Ast -- Last 3 games: 3.3 Min, 0.0 Pts, 0.7 Reb, 0.0 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 0 points (0-2 FG) and 1 turnover in 4 minutes. Shooting percentages: .410 from two and .400 from FT.
  • Vincent Lee (13) FR, F, 6-9, 215, Midlothian, TX, Heritage HS, 5.1 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 0.5 Ast -- Last 3 games: 8.3 Min, 0.7 Pts, 1.7 Reb, 0.0 Ast. Last game vs. UCSB: 2 points (1-2 FG), 3 rebounds and 1 turnover in 10 minutes. Shooting percentages: .548 from two and .556 from FT.
Match-up overview:
There has been some turnover in how Taylor is using his players. Lee, once a starter, is gathering splinters in his backside. Wang is averaging 15.5 points in his last two games. Kamga and Awosika are not getting subbed out very often.

Rowe, Kamga and Awosika are the scorers, with Arnold adding another option when he's in the game. Arnold, Kamga, Rowe and Clare are the main 3-point shooters. If you're looking for people to foul, that would be Awosika and Lee.

The Titans have lost three straight overall and their last four road games. Fullerton remains a matchup problem as they, more than any other team in the conference, pin their ears back and drive it to the basket.

UCSB couldn't find a scorer for about 24 minutes at UC Irvine. Then Robinson Idehen happened. The Gauchos scrambled back from a 20-point deficit to cut the lead to single digits in the waning moments. It was a good way to finish, but UCSB will need to find some scoring options when confronted with elite defenses.

Probable Starters
  • Amadou Sow (12) SO, F, 6-9, 235, Bamako, Mali, Prolific Prep Academy, 14.0 Pts, 7.0 Reb, 0.8 Ast -- Last 3 games: 26.7 Min, 8.7 Pts, 4.7 Reb, 0.7 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 8 points (4-8 FG, 0-1 three, 0-1 FT), 5 rebounds, 5 blocks and 1 turnover in 32 minutes. Shooting percentages: .579 from two, .390 from three (1.4 attempts per game) and .755 from FT.
  • Jaquori McLaughlin (3) JR, G, 6-4, 190, Tacoma, WA, Peninsula HS, 13.5 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 3.9 Ast -- Last 3 games: 36.7 Min, 13.0 Pts, 2.3 Reb, 5.7 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 11 points (4-13 FG, 0-3 three, 3-4 FT), 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 1 turnover in 34 minutes. Shooting percentages: .469 from two, .408 from three (3.5 attempts per game) and .802 from FT.
  • Matt Freeman (2) SR, F, 6-10, 220, Auckland, New Zealand, Westlake Boys HS, 9.5 Pts, 3.9 Reb, 1.9 Ast -- Last 3 games: 25.3 Min, 6.3 Pts, 2.0 Reb, 1.7 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 three), 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 turnover in 24 minutes. Shooting percentages: .476 from two, .381 from three (4.1 attempts per game) and .875 from FT.
  • Devearl Ramsey (4) JR, G, 6-0, 185, Los Angeles, CA, Sierra Canyon HS, 8.2 Pts, 3.9 Reb, 2.5 Ast -- Last 3 games: 34.3 Min, 11.3 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 1.7 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 9 points (1-5 FG, 1-3 three, 6-6 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 turnover in 34 minutes. Shooting percentages: .438 from two, .321 from three (3.0 attempts per game) and .877 from FT.
  • Brandon Cyrus (11) SR, G, 6-5, 190, Oakville, Canada, La Lumiere School, 5.9 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 1.4 Ast -- Last 3 games: 29.0 Min, 6.3 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 2.0 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 6 points (3-5 FG, 0-1 three), 3 rebounds and 1 turnover in 20 minutes. Shooting percentages: .481 from two, .192 from three (1.9 attempts per game) and .641 from FT.
Key Reserves
  • Robinson Idehen (35) JR, F, 6-10, 230, Tudela, Spain, Modesto Christian HS, 5.8 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 0.4 Ast -- Last 3 games: 17.3 Min, 11.3 Pts, 6.7 Reb, 0.3 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 0 points (0-1 FG), 1 rebound and 1 block in 10 minutes. Shooting percentages: .691 from two, .000 from three (0.0 attempts per game) and .522 from FT.
  • Sekou Toure (0) SO, G, 6-5, 185, Conarky, Guinea, Prolific Prep Academy, 3.1 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 0.5 Ast -- Last 3 games: 8.0 Min, 1.0 Pts, 2.3 Reb, 0.7 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 0 points and 1 assist in 3 minutes. Shooting percentages: .516 from two, .143 from three (0.5 attempts per game) and .750 from FT.
  • Jay Nagle (5) SO, F, 6-8, 215, Vacavile, CA, Will C. Wood HS 2.1 Pts, 1.1 Reb, 0.6 Ast -- Last 3 games: 7.0 Min, 0.7 Pts, 0.7 Reb, 0.3 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 3 points (1-1 FG, 1-1 three)and 1 assist in 10 minutes. Shooting percentages: .429 from two, .350 from three (1.4 attempts per game) and .857 from FT.
Injured
  • Max Heidegger (21) SR, G, 6-3, 180, Malibu, CA, Crespi Carmelite HS, 16.0 Pts, 2.4 Reb, 3.2 Ast -- Last 3 games: 27.7 Min, 14.7 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 3.3 Ast. Last game at CSUF: 27 points (1-2 FG), 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in 36 minutes. Shooting percentages: .536 from two, .360 from three (4.9 attempts per game) and .784 from FT.
Keys to the game for the Gauchos 
  • Stop penetration. The Titans run downhill at you. UCSB must stop straight-line drives to the basket.
  • Control Rowe. He's an excellent rebounder for his size. 
  • Overcome Fullerton's experience. The Titans start four seniors, and Awosika and Rowe have gone to three straight post-seasons and two BWT finals.
  • Sow breaks out of his slump. Amadou is averaging 8.8 ppg in the last 5.
  • McLaughlin assumes command. J-Roq had just 9 points on 2-of-9 shooting at Irvine. He did dish out 6 assists.
  • Tinker with the rotation. The Gauchos are down to 8 players. Idehen and Toure have proved, in my opinion, that they deserve more playing time. Nagle probably plays more only if Sow, Freeman or Idehen get in foul trouble.
Prediction
DC2 trends: UCSB's 5-game trend dips to 54.06 (last 10 = 53.32, season-long 52.41). Fullerton is at a lowly 31.30 over its last 5 (last 10 = 38.29, season-long = 37.90). This is an important game for both teams for seeding purposes. My prediction? I feel we will play better vs. a team with limited size. We roll to a 75-59 victory.

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