UC Davis will represent Big West in NCAA “play-in” game
Capping a season filled with unpredictable outcomes in the Big West Conference, it was probably fitting that UC Davis emerged as the champion.
The Aggies defeated UC Irvine to win the Big West Conference Tournament title on Saturday, and earn the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division I Championship Tournament. What’s more, UC Davis will have a good shot to win at least one game in the tournament because the Aggies were placed in one of the “play-in” games for the NCAA Tournament.
UC Davis (22-12) will face North Carolina Central (25-8) on Wednesday at Dayton, Ohio, in a play-in game for a 16 seed to the Midwest Region. The winner will advance to play No. 1 seed Kansas on Friday at Tulsa, Okla.
UC Davis was picked to finish fifth in the Big West Preseason Poll. The Aggies finished second in the regular season, and then knocked off top seed UC Irvine, 50-47, in the tournament championship game. They advanced to the final with a buzzer-beating putback by Chima Moneke in an overtime semifinal win over Cal State Fullerton.
The Aggies are the seventh different championship team in the last seven years from the Big West Conference Tournament. The last seven team to represent the Big West at the NCAA Tournament are: UC Santa Barbara (2011), Long Beach State (2012), Pacific (2013), Cal Poly (2014), UC Irvine (2015), Hawai’i (2016) and UC Davis (2017).
Two other Big West Conference teams earned postseason invitations this season: UC Irvine in the NIT, and Cal State Fullerton in the CollegeInsiders.com Tournament (CIT).
Hawai’i finished its season at 14-16 after a loss to Long Beach State in the first round of the Big West Tournament.
The Davis And Irvine game- pretty intense at the end with Lemar and Luke jawing back and forth.
I’m happy for Davis though.. first time going to the big dance. Happy for their seniors.
I hope we get some good recruits in for next year! Got to wait a whole frikin year to watch Hawaii play again
Look forward to seeing some summer league coverage?
Mahalo Warrior Insider! Thank you for your awesome video coverage
Unfortunate trialsome times past half dozen years or so. Although, we witness some 20 win seasons, and The Big one the Ncaa magic run last season. Eran has to hit the trail, make relationships with soph and freshman Cali HS 3 star or better athletes, in particular good PG’s and Bigs..Also that Overseas, hotline.. so much talent internationally.. only problem? Other top schools and high mid and low mid major schools have the upper hand on what they can offer to 3 or 4 star USA or international recruits.. Eran is good for program.. really his first Head coaching job.. he inherit fantastic athletes last year.. this year ncaa delay on post season/ sanctions/ scholarships handcuffed him.. NOW with THREE scholarships.. or TWO for this year.. GET some really good Basketball Athletes..
Realistically. Eran very good X and O guy, and no nonsense coach.. keep program clean. However, Now for purist Basketball Warrior Rainbow fans,.. Eran has to step up in getting that NIT/ NCAA every year.. 20 win plus per win program. he can do it.. We are patient.. however YEAR 3.. like for Nash, Gib, Benjy.. One Season, etc.. THIS year 3.. the Payoff year.. Wish Eran and team the best.. man it seems like 50 years ago, when AC and Alika brought excitement and 9000 fans per game at SSC and the Savo/English, and the Bobbitt led teams !
Go Bows. we are cheering for you guys and Eran to be the recruiter he wants to be !