It's never really clear whether a bad game by a really good shooter like Eli Pepper is due to his being cold or due to the defense. Yesterday he was 3 for 11 with only 14 points. UCI had their best defender on him, but one way to tell that he was off was that he missed some wide open shots, plus 2 free throws. Most likely it was a combination of both the defense and his not being his best. Back when I was playing lot, I would occasionally (and not often enough) get the hot hand and no defense could stop me even guys with 6 inches on me. When I wasn't hitting, it was not due to the defense. WE can even see this at the NBA level with guys like Steph Curry.

Right. Not saying other teams don't have it, but it certainly explains why the Aggies are able to come through in the clutch. I agree with you that the officials really put a damper on the game getting a little OCD with the clock issues.

It's great to be in first place, but all credit goes to the team and coaches. I've written this before: it helps a lot in these close games that the team is full of upperclassmen all who were on the team last year. It's a rare luxury these days in college basketball. I think their ability to persist with poise and clear play is largely due to their experience. Here's hoping it takes them to the big dance.

The school with the better record in away games is the higher seed. If there is still a tie, it comes down to a coin flip. (I'd like to say I remember this from a few year's ago, but I googled it.)

Niko Rocak: 5 blocks, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. He is the MVP of this game, TY's last minute 3 notwithstanding.

Well, they're still turning it over too much but they're making up for it by hitting the boards really well. Pepper in a bit of a slump, drawing front iron a lot as if he's a bit worn out.

Where have I seen this before? Too many unforced turnovers and all the scoring by Pepper (9 of 11)

Just looking at the next three games, it strikes me that this stretch coming up is a crucial one: UCI, UCSB and UCSD.

It was interesting to me, never having been to 9 of the 11, but my question is, why bother? Seems to me that Big West schools, for the most part, have invested a better share of their infrastructure funding to academic purposes rather than spending billions of dollars on huge arena and stadiums.

Looks like UCSB has righted their ship, but Hawai`i fans are wondering what's wrong.

TY must have read m comment about him earlier, because he really got aggressive there just in time to help the AGs pull this one out. Another great UC Davis comeback win!

Personally, I do not like the way the play-by-play guy treated the broadcast as if only Fullerton fans were watching. He referred to Titan players by their initials, references campus events and mentions people of the campus who are totally unidentified as if we should know them (or care).

Yes, as in some games past, Pepper is carrying the team. TY is particularly absent. He has only 2 points on free throws. It seems to me like he no longer slashes to the hoop the way he used to do. Makes me wonder if he has been fighting some kind of foot or leg problem.

I think I see the problem tonight: The Aggies are missing too many shots. Seriously, though, the Titans are outplaying the Ags in every way. Pepper has over half the UCD points, but even he is 2 of 7 from 3.

Aggies favored by 1.5.

But only to one team?!

Thanks. PreToke69 too.

During the broadcast on Saturday, Bob Dunning took note of the 3x20 performance and said he asked Jim Les if that had been done before and the coach replied that it had not been done in his tenure at UCD. Maybe back in the Div. 2 days? I don't think there is a way to get that dat online.

See: Tyus Edney vs. Missouri in the NCAA tournament in 1995. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS8QCoYfzW8

I agree that it would have been better to not call a timeout with 2.6 seconds left for the exact reasons you mentioned. I wonder what Coach Les told them about that situation? If you're going to call a time out, better to do it at the start of the play, not mid-court.