Defending Big West Champion UC Santa Barbara got off to a great start in 2009 as they picked up two conference wins, including a victory over preseason favorite UC Riverside, in the first week of league play. The Gauchos, who improved their home record to 6-1 with the pair of conference wins, takes to the road this week where they have yet to post a victory. Thursday, Jan. 8 they travel to Orange County to face UC Irvine at the Bren Center. The Anteaters are looking to earn their first win in front of their home crowd this season and snap a nine-game losing streak in the process. The Gauchos lead the all-time series with the Anteaters, 47-22.
Two days later, UC Santa Barbara visits Titan Gym to battle Cal State Fullerton for a 5:00 p.m. tip. The Gauchos, who haven’t lost to the Titans since 1995, own a 37-21 mark against the Titans.
Before wrapping a four-game homestand with the UC Santa Barbara showdown Sunday, the Titans host Cal Poly Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Cal State Fullerton enters the matchup with a 1-0 conference record after defeating UC Irvine, while the Mustangs hold a 1-1 mark following a win over Long Beach State and a loss to UC Riverside. The Titans have won their last six home contests versus the Mustangs and lead the overall series with a 23-13 mark.
After tangling with the Titans Thursday evening, Cal Poly continues its three-game road trip with a trek to UC Irvine. The Mustangs have won the last four meetings with the Anteaters to extend its series lead to 20-16.
The coaches and media preseason pick to be crowned conference champion, UC Riverside, opened league play with a 1-1 mark. This week the Highlanders, who opened 2008-09 playing 12-of-14 games on the road, make a rare appearance at their home facility, The Student Recreation Center, where they are 2-0 this season. They entertain UC Davis Thursday evening, a series they trail 19-12, and then host Pacific Saturday afternoon. Last season the Tigers snapped a seven-game skid versus the Highlanders to take a 9-8 series lead.
Pacific and UC Davis also face Long Beach State this week, with the Tigers visiting The Walter Pyramid Thursday and the Aggies heading into town Saturday for a 5:00 p.m. tip. The Long Beach State-Pacific showdown has an unusual midweek start time of 1:00 p.m. for participation of the NCAA’s ‘Pack the House Challenge’, an initiative to increase awareness and attendance at women’s basketball games throughout the nation. Schools from each of the 31 conferences nationwide will compete against each other to fill arenas around the country. The 49ers have won seven of the last eight contests against the Tigers and leads the series with a 34-16 record. They also have an 8-4 edge versus the Aggies.
The Cal State Northridge Matadors are idle this week. They return to action Jan. 14 when they welcome UC Riverside to The Matadome.