Midway through conference play and defending champion UC Santa Barbara and preseason favorite UC Riverside sit one-two in the Big West Conference standings. The Gauchos own a perfect 8-0 mark, while the Highlanders rank second with a 7-1 record. Cal Poly and Pacific are tied for third at 5-3.
The Gauchos snapped a 10-game win streak last week with a nonconference loss to Cal State Bakersfield. This week they look to get back to their winning ways when they return home to The Thunderdome where they are 10-1 this season. Things get underway Thursday evening when the Gauchos entertain Cal State Fullerton at 7:00 p.m. UC Santa Barbara follows that up with a meeting against the Anteaters on Saturday afternoon.
While the Gauchos have the luxury of playing in front of their home crowd, UC Riverside must leave its home venue, the Student Recreation Center, where the Highlanders hold an unblemished 7-0 mark. The Highlanders open their pair of conference road games with another Big West team that has been impressive at home this season, the Pacific Tigers, who are 10-0 at the Alex G. Spanos Center this year. The two teams take to the court Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 p.m. UC Riverside enters the series that is knotted at 9-9, riding a six-game win streak.
The Highlanders continue their northern California trip with a matchup against UC Davis Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The previous meeting was a tightly-contested battle that witnessed UC Riverside coming out on top by a score of 56-52.
Prior to the showdown with the Highlanders, the Aggies welcome Long Beach State to The Pavilion Thursday for a 7:00 p.m. tip. Back on Jan. 10, Kasey Riecks drained two free throws with 2. 1 seconds left to lift UC Davis to a 55-54 victory over the 49ers. Long Beach State returns to the court Saturday at 4:00 p.m. to take on the Pacific Tigers.
Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine head to the central coast to tangle with UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly. The Titans faces the Mustangs Thursday night at Mott Gym, while the Anteaters take on the Gauchos. The two Orange County teams alternate opponents for Saturday's action.
Cal Poly, riding a four-game win streak, has won three consecutive Big West games to improve to 5-3 in conference play to tie for third. Earlier this season the Mustangs defeated UC Irvine, 54-49, but fell to Cal State Fullerton, 67-53.