Gauchos Host UC Riverside, Journey to UC Irvine for Nationally Televised Recreation

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Santa Barbara males’s basketball staff returns to The Thunderdome on Thursday, earlier than touring to UC Irvine on Saturday. The Gauchos sit tied for fourth in The Big West at 10-7, only one recreation behind the convention leaders.

HONORING A LEGEND

During halftime, the Gauchos will likely be inducting former UC Santa Barbara males’s basketball student-athlete Orlando Johnson. The three-time All-American would be the latest member of the Legends of the Dome. Johnson stays this system’s all-time main scorer with over 1,800 factors in simply three seasons with the Gauchos. Along with being a three-time Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American, he was a three-time NABC All- District choice, three-time All-Big West choice, the 2009-10 Big West Player of the Year and two-time Big West Tournament MVP.

ABOUT LAST WEEK

The Gauchos dropped two additional time video games final week and enter this week on a three-game shedding streak. UCSB has performed three straight video games determined by 5 factors or fewer as The Big West race continues to tighten.

SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS

UC Riverside enters the week at 4-13 in convention play and 9-20 general. Despite their document, the Highlanders have proven indicators of a surge, successful 3 of their final 4 video games earlier than falling at UC Davis.

Riverside is led by Andrew Henderson, who’s averaging 17.9 factors per recreation general – the third highest mark within the Big West. Marqui Worthy Jr. provides over 15 factors per recreation and serves as the first playmaker, whereas BJ Kolly supplies inside presence on the glass. Riverside has proven the power to attain in spurts, together with a 93-point outing earlier this month versus Cal State Bakersfield. 

UCSB defeated the Highlanders 76-68 within the first assembly.

SCOUTING THE ANTEATERS

Tied on the high of the Big West, UC Irvine enters the week at 18-10 general. The Anteaters have received two of their final three, however are coming off a slim 71-69 loss to UC San Diego.

UC Irvine is averaging 77.3 factors per recreation whereas holding opponents to 67.6, among the best scoring margins within the convention. Jurian Dixon leads the staff with 15.4 factors per recreation, whereas Kyle Evans anchors the inside with 12.2 factors and eight.6 rebounds per recreation. 

The Gauchos defeated UC Irvine 84-79 within the first assembly earlier this month.

FOLLOW ALONG

UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside will tip off at 6 PM on Thursday, and will be streamed on ESPN+. The Gaucho’s recreation on Saturday versus the Anteaters will tip off at 7:30 PM and will likely be broadcast on ESPN2.