UC Riverside, who was tabbed to win its second conference title in 2009 by both the coaches and media, begins the new year with a pair of road contests in the central coast to kick-off Big West play. Having already played 10 of its first 12 contests away from the Student Recreation Center, the Highlanders wait another week before returning home as they visit Mott Gym to face Cal Poly Jan. 2 at 7:00 p.m. Friday's contest will be the Mustangs first outing since Dec. 20, while the Highlanders snapped a four-game skid with a win over Yale on Dec. 30.
Two days later UC Riverside faces defending conference champion UC Santa Barbara in a Sunday matinee. Last season the Gauchos reclaimed the conference title they had owned for 11 consecutive years before UC Riverside earned the Big West regular season crown in 2007. UC Riverside has defeated UC Santa Barbara in five of the last seven contests, but UC Santa Barbara still leads the all-time series, 16-11.
Along with its showdown with UC Riverside, the Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara entertain Long Beach State at The Thunderdome Friday at 7:00 p.m. The all-time series is tied at 39-39 with the Gauchos topping the 49ers in the last five outings. Long Beach State opened the series with 37 straight wins but since 1992, it has dropped 39 of 41 meetings against the Gauchos. UC Santa Barbara has been near perfect when playing in front of its home crowd this season, owning a 4-1 mark.
Long Beach State wraps up a three-game road trip when it takes on Cal Poly Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The 49ers lead the series with Cal Poly, 34-11.
The Pacific Tigers begin conference play in the familiar confines of the Alex G. Spanos Center, where they are a perfect 6-0 this season. They host Cal State Northridge Friday evening for their lone Big West game of the week. After sweeping the Matadors last season, Pacific improved its series record to 11-7.
While the Tigers have been impressive at home this season, away from the Spanos Center hasn't been as prosperous (0-5). Pacific looks to pick up its first road win of the season Sunday, Jan. 4 when the Tigers visit Saint Mary’s at 4:00 p.m.
After the Matadors battle with the Tigers, they visit UC Davis for a Sunday afternoon contest at The Pavilion. Like Pacific, Cal State Northridge is still looking for its first road victory of the season after posting a 0-8 record away from The Matadome in nonconference action. The Aggies have won two of the last three contests against Cal State Northridge, but trails the overall series 9-8.
UC Irvine travels to Cal State Fullerton for its first contest of the new year, which could be positive for the Anteaters since all three of their victories have come away from the Bren Center. The Titans and Anteaters tipoff Saturday, Jan. 3 at 5:00 p.m. Cal State Fullerton is in the midst of a four-game homestand.