Any news about what happened to Chima?

Good point, Zander. Going forward, though, I hope the Ags can get a seed higher than 16. Had the 2014-15 tam made the NCAA and gotten hot from the 3, I could see them doing that. The 3-ball is a great equalizer. I thought Virginia played very poorly, not to take anything away from the Retrievers. UMBC was really hot from outside the arc and were even able to penetrate, due to UVA's weak defense. I did not understand why the Cavaliers kept hoisting up perimeter shots when they had such a height advantage. Still, they were victims of their own complacency coming in and then gradually lost composure in the second half.

The west coast got robbed this year by the selection committee. Both St. Mary's and USC should have been in the tournament.

Also, I agree about the officiating, but I do not think it cost us the game. Not being a follower of women's basketball or even football, I'll be back on this site in November when the Aggie B-ball team gets back on the court. I'm really glad I found this sports talk site. Thanks to whomever created it and for all the great information, opinions and reactions from all of you guys (and gals?).

This reminded me of the NCAA game against Kansas last year in that the Ags started well but got overwhelmed by superior talent and size. They might have pulled it out if they had hit their shots, but they really went cold in the 4th quarter. All in all, it's been an unexpectedly good season. The good news is that most of the players that were in the last 11 games of the season will be back next year including the core, minus Onyebalu. I'd be surprised if they aren't the preseason pick for the Big West.

Ags doing well on the boards especially with the height differential. They have more rebounds than Utah after 3.

As I just discovered, BigWest TV has it. Looks like that's my best bet since it's the ESPN3 feed.

Hawaii's arena is a pretty big space, but BlueGoldAg is right about the problem for distance shooters. I still remember playing on the glass backboards at Hickey Gym, hardly a big arena, and having problems with my jump shot in comparison to the smaller ones that ran cross-court. I trust that the officials for the NIT will be better than the Big West ones, although I wonder if that will affect the Aggies who are used to refs calling a lot of ticky-tack fouls?

Nuts! I don't get ESPN3. Does anyone know if they will re-broadcast the game later on ESPNU, ESPN2 or anywhere else?

movielover: St. Mary's used to be in the Far Western Conference and even after they left it in 1928, UC Davis, played them frequently. I'm sure it had to do with prximity. That ended in the 60s, so since 1962, we've only played them 10 times, going 2-8. All time, the Aggies have only beaten the Gaels 5 times in 45 games. In December of 1969, I drove down to Moraga to see the game, which we lost. Their gym is very odd ( I think it is still the same. On one side there are seats high above the court, almost like a long balcony.) Their fight song is even odder (The Bells of St. Mary's),

The NIT must have more money this year. Lots of teams matched with opponents on the other side of the country. I guess seeding played a bigger role than in past years. Too bad, Stanford or St. Mary's would have been nice for a lot of Ag alums. Still, gotta hope Utah is so disappointed in not getting an NCAA bid that they will tank.

St. Mary's didn't make it to the NCAA. Another example of east coast bias, but that means the Aggies could wind up matched against them of Stanford or even USC, but I imagine some combination of those 4 California teams will play each other in some combination. Now I hope it's St. Mary's because they're most likely to be deflated at the snub.

BlueGold: Your sentiments reflect mine exactly.

As did eastcoast, I watched the game anyway. I think it was an odd loss. Coach LEss had told the TV guys that is the score was in the 50s, the Ags would win. I'm sure that was predicated on the way the Titans are able to hit their 3s. Allman and Ahmad are prolific scorers and the latter hit something like 56 points in their two victories over UCD earlier. If you had told me that they would be held to only 18 points between them, I would have said "Aggies win!" But no. Up by 12, I am totally confused as to why they list their mojo from about 12 minutes to go in the second half. They held the ball too long and had to rush shots and I think that put their offense totally out of rhythm. Too, they relied way too much on perimeter shooting throughout the game. TJ Shorts was not as aggressive as he usually is and, of course, they missed free throws at the end. No one thing cost them the game but the compounding of those factors. ucdavisaggie05 sent a link to the NIT and it does predict Stanford to be in it. I suppose the Ags could still draw Arizona State, but the NIT likes to match teams in the same region, so Stanford is still my prediction and hope. The Cardinal could well do what Cal did last year (losing to CSU Bakersfield) and feel so deflated by missing the NCAA that they don't show up. Ags win!

So I start to watch the delayed broadcast of the game tonight and what do I see? The end of the UCI-UCSB game in which they show that UCI will play CSU Fullerton tomorrow! What are they thinking at ESPN? SO I wAs doubly disappointed in finding out the score and knowing the Aggies lost the game. I'll probably watch it, but have nothing to add to this site except my guess that the NIT will have UC Davis matched against Stanford, who is not likely to make the NCAA. I agree with Zander, not a disappointing season given the loss of four (and with Chima, five) starters from last season. We have reason to have high hopes for next year. Go Ags!

Zander, Thanks. I can watch the game on ESPNU out here at 9:00 Hawaii time.

Looks like Fullerton. Kyle Allman is one scary scorer. Ags defense needs to be really solid on him.

I had to watch the game on my DVR due to having a commitment in the morning (game was on at 10 out here), but wow, what a nail biter at the end. Noticed that the Ags were hitting only 2/3 on their foul shots, but they really got clutch at the end when they had to stave off the Highlanders 3 point hotness. Does anyone know what station will be showing the semifinal (against Cal Poly, I hope) tomorrow? I did not see it on ESPNU through my service.

The Hawaii paper today noted that the University of Hawaii team has beaten every team in the Big West this season, which is oddly true. They also lost to every team oddly, half on the road and half at home. The column pointed out that Hawaii has as good a chance as any team to take the tournament. What it pertinent to this chat group is that only two regular season champs have ever won the tournament title. Given that this season the crown is up for grabs--an assessment which has more veracity than in most years--I think no team can match the Aggies for their spirit, team-work and the most important factor in the post-season: a very good point guard. They first need to get by UCR which might be their toughest match-up.

TJ's skills and confidence have developed significantly this season. When I first saw him play at the Pavilion in November, my friend and I noted his speed and ability to score off the drive. At the same time, his defense was just okay and he had trouble passing the ball out when he got to the basket. Since then not only has his defense improved but so has his ability to spot the open man when he drives and kick it out or in for the open shot when he gets double-teamed. He's also developed an uncanny knack for rebounds for a guy his height and weight. He got 7(!) rebounds against the UCI, the best rebounding team in the country. I think some of all this is attributable to his having to step up after Chima's suspension, but a lot of it has to be credited to Coach Les.

I took the original question to mean improving the program on the court, so I have not added any comments. The best thing for that is to keep Jim Les. Since his first season in which UC Davis went 5-26 to now, he has had better and better teams, with three 20+ win seasons in the past 4 years, two Coach of the year awards and 3 post-season national appearances including our first ever NCAA tourney victory. This season...well, I don't think I need to preach to the choir. As for getting other areas improved, I think quadshock has some great ideas. Is the AD reading this?