Zander,

If UCSB, CSUF and UCI all win how would that work? Would the Ags be in 4th place because they have the worst record against the other two? That would be bad because we would most likely play Long Beach, a much better team than any of the lowest 3. If that is the case, we must beat Irvine because I do not see either Fullerton nor the Gauchos losing on Saturday. Of course, this is the wacky Big West.

Amazing stea; recovery and layup by TJ.

Hawaii is playing very poorly. 12 turnovers in the first half. 18.2% from 3. Great defense by the Ags. Keep it up guys.

Do they still yell Bossy Cow-Cow at games? I haven't heard it the few times I've been to Davis since... Well, a lonnngg time ago.

Hawaii has a 9-5 series advantage over UCD and that includes being 3-3 at Davis. The Honolulu paper stated that the team was preparing two game plans, one including Chima, just in case. In the lead of that article, it mentioned that the Hawaii players considered Chima to be their MVP in the game out here because of his 9 turnovers. I hope that's a good locker room bulletin board post for the Ags on Senior night. A real shame for Chima, too.

Hawai'i will be tough despite their 7-7 record, 3-3 on the road. This team is hard to figure. They beat Irvine at Irvine then lost to them here. An X-factor for you folks to watch for is Zigmars Raimo, a very tough Latvian power forward whose game has developed well lately. He is a rugged board man who can score inside. I doubt he will start but he has been logging more minutes recently and could come off the bench early. Also watch for Brocke Stepteau, their regular point guard who missed the game against the Aggies in Honolulu. He's not as quick as TJ and is not as clever in going to the hoop, but he can defend and contributes on offense. Look for him to be part of a 3-guard starting lineup. I hope Jack Purchase will be as cold in Davis as he was against the Anteaters.

Go Ags!

If we all feel this way, think about how Coach Les and Chima's team-mates feel? I suspect that teh Coach knows a lot about this, but he cannot talk about it.

If Hawaii had played as well against UCI as they did against the Ags, they would have won that game. As it was, the shot under 35% from the floor and 57% from the foul line. (Does it seem to anyone else that Big West refs call way too many fouls?) Jack Purchase who burned UCD for 21, got exactly 1 against UCI. Their defense was also spotty; as solid sometimes as they were against us, but odd;y porous at other times. Irvine has a huge but unathletic frontcourt. They can (and often did) average 6' 9". Hawaii countered with 3 guards. The good news is that if Hawaii cannot do better they will lose when they visit Davis. The bad news is that the Anteaters could be peaking by the end of the season. They play good defense and balanced scoring. It could come down to that final game.

I'll be at the UCI-Hawaii game in about an hour, cheering for the Ags, uhm, I mean Hawaii.:cool:

I just checked my on-line dictionary under the word "clutch" and there was a picture of T. J. Shorts, Big West Player of the Year!

Hawaii might be a tough one for the Ags next week. The Warriors went through a mysteriously bad stretch but have now won three in a row including two on the road. I'm going to see them against UCI tomorrow and will be rooting for Hawaii (which makes me duplicitous after cheering ineffectively for the Aggies last month when they were out here). I genuinely do root for Hawaii unless they are playing UC Davis, but I will have two reasons to root for them tomorrow. I would not be at all surprised if they beat the Antgobblers.

As I noted before, if this is a student conduct violation, it will take some time. I tried to see if the code has any specific time frame (http://sja.ucdavis.edu/disciplinary-process.html), but I saw only that the student must appeal within 10 days. The lack of a time frame is a disturbing omission. So it is still anyone's guess if the process is still ongoing (including an appeal). I'm suggesting it is otherwise a final decision would have been made public. Thus, I believe there is still a chance that Chima will be back.

My opinion on Chima's return is that it will depend on the team's ability to reintegrate him. They played will with him and they played well without him (albeit after two losses). I think the team is solid enough and Coach Les is sharp enough that his return will be a smooth one. A key to the Ags success in the tournament, though, might be getting him back for the final regular season game.

Is there a scenario involving a 5 way tie? Long Beach wins out. Fullerton loses only to the Beach. UCI loses to UCD, but beats UCSB, who also has lost to Long Beach and the Aggies somehow lose to Hawaii or UCR. I think I go that right and it would make all teams 11-5. Highly unlikely but it might make Sports Center if it does. I'd prefer the same scenario without the Ags losing another game and finishing in first. That seems less improbable.

BlueGold Ag, I was able to watch the video on BigWestTV. I totally agree with your reply to eastbayaggie. UC Davis played excellent man-to-man defense. This was especially impressive coming off a triple OT game on Thursday. Plus they clearly have adjusted to being without Moneke. At the same time, the Aggie offense was aggressive and found some nice lanes inside, although the Gaucho defense was kind of lagging most times, committing hard fouls a few times when they let an Aggie get by them. Ironic that UCD ended UCSB's 12 game home win streak after UCSB ended UCD's 19 game streak. Nothing like sibling rivalry.

Thanks eastbay, I see ESPN has changed the box score.

I get 50 lashes. I totally missed the time the game was on, but if the fact that my video stream will not replay is any indication, it probably froze out here again. (Only thing in Hawaii that freezes outside of a refrigerator. ) But a HUGE win for the Aggies! Based on the box score it was a real team effort but with Shorts standing tall again. (Box score suggests he didn't start. Is that correct?)

If we assume that Moneke did not break a team rule (which would have been a coach's decision to suspend him) but a violation of the student conduct code, I do not think this will be over soon. Having been a college administrator for some time, I can add that they will not say anything about Chima's situation to protect his privacy. I am no longer familiar with the student code at UC Davis, but I would think it specifies not only the different steps that must be taken but the time requirements for each. It is unlikely that they will accelerate the process for a student athlete but will treat him as they would any other student going through a disciplinary hearing.

The main thing is that the Ags won in multiple OT again. Grit. I sure hope Chima comes back soon. The Hawaii commentator noted that UC Davis is "just an average team" without him. He had a point but UCD won two tough games. Meanwhile since beating the Ags in Hawaii, the Warriors had lost 5 straight before edging UCI tonight in Irvine.

#@!^& BigWestTV. Wish I'd been able to see it. Ags finally making 3s.

My stream is frozen out here in Hawaii too, UCD up 27-18 at halftime according to ESPN.