Mystery Theater
Uncertainty in UCSB roster status heading into showdown with UC Irvine. Hawai'i looks to remain in double bye position. CSUN and UC Davis each have a chance to move up with winnable home games.
1:00 PM: UC Riverside at CSUN — The Highlanders (8-16, 3-9), two games out of a Big West Tournament qualifying position, have 5 remaining games vs. non-Quad 4 schools. UC Riverside has lost its last 10 games vs. that cohort and 10 of its last 12 overall. UCR increasingly relies on Andrew Henderson, who has taken 87 shots over the last 4 games. The Matadors (14-10, 7-5) return home where they are nearly unbeatable, with a 10-1 record this season in Northridge. CSUN has won 3 straight games, including Thursday night’s thriller in which Joshua O’Garro scored with 3 seconds to allow the Matadors to flee San Luis Obispo with a one-point win.
2:00 PM: Cal Poly at UC Davis — The Mustangs (9-15, 5-7) rallied to take a 1-point lead over CSUN with 10 seconds left only to suffer a 3rd consecutive loss at home. Cal Poly now has 6 of its next 7 vs. non-Quad 4 opponents as it attempts to hold on to the final Big West Tournament berth. The Mustangs are averaging 98 points per game in their last 3 contests. The Aggies (14-9, 7-5) scored 31 points in the final 16 possessions of their win over UC Santa Barbara on Thursday. UC Davis has won 5 of its last 6 games but has just 3 home games remaining in the regular season. UCD is hoping to avenge an 84-78 loss to Cal Poly on Jan. 10.
4:00 PM: CSU Bakersfield at Cal State Fullerton — The Roadrunners (8-16, 2-10) have lost 7 straight games and appear to have little chance to make the Big West Tournament. Bakersfield does have 5 of its final 6 games vs. Quad 4 opponents, but the ‘Runners are close to needing a sweep of those contests to have any chance. The Titans (11-13, 6-6) have won 3 of their last 4 games to pull back to .500 in conference play. Fullerton could gain some breathing room with 4 of its next 5 games vs. Quad 4 competition, including 2 games with CSUB. The Titans continue to lead the Big West in bench points with 33.7 per game.
7:00 PM: UC Irvine at UC Santa Barbara — GAME OF THE NIGHT. The Anteaters (16-7, 9-2) have won 4 straight games and 9 of their last 11 as they enter the Thunderdome for a Saturday showdown on ESPNU. UC Irvine is 1-3 vs. Quad 2 opponents, picking up a victory at UC San Diego just 2 weeks ago. The ‘Eaters have held each of their last 5 opponents under .400 shooting from the floor, with Norfolk State the last team to reach 45% (on Dec. 22). The Gauchos (15-8, 8-4) were the hottest team in the Big West but were missing starting point guard Miro Little and key reserve Marvin McGhee IV in Thursday’s 10-point loss at UC Davis. Head coach Joe Pasternack simply said the players “were not able to play tonight…that’s it.” UCSB is 2-5 when Little doesn’t play.
9:00 PM: UC San Diego at Hawai’i — The Tritons (16-8, 6-6) stopped a 3-game slide with a gut-check 77-74 win over Long Beach State on Thursday. UCSD is without starting guard/forward Emanuel Prospere II for at least a few games, as head coach Clint Allard said Prospere’s status is to “be determine, but we’ll have him back this year.” Bol Dengdit played his most minutes of the season (29) as he scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds vs. LBSU. The Rainbow Warriors (16-5, 8-3) also are coming off a win over the Beach. Hawai’i is 13-1 at home and 14-0 vs. Quad 3/4 opponents. The UH defense has faltered of late, conceding 80+ points in back-to-back games last week. Hawai’i has also been outrebounded in 6 of its last 8 games.