UC Davis faces the classic trap game tonight at the Pavilion.
The Aggies (18-4, 8-1), in first place in the Big West Conference, have a four-game winning streak entering their game against last place Cal State Fullerton (9-14, 1-7). Next Thursday, the Aggies play at second-place Long Beach State (13-12, 7-2), which lost 73-67 in overtime Jan. 10 in Davis.
Fullerton lost its first six Big West games before beating Northridge 69-53 last Thursday. The Titans then lost to UC Riverside 71-66 in overtime at home Saturday, their third overtime loss in conference this season.
While UC Davis coach Jim Les is wary of a Titans? team with little to lose, he doesn?t expect the Aggies to have a letdown.
?Home court in league, you?ve got to win those games,? Les said. ?We?ve got a standings board in the locker room that the players see every day. ? (Tyler said) they are going to have to drag us out of the penthouse kicking and screaming.?
The Aggies, picked to finish seventh in the preseason media poll, are led by fifth-year seniors Corey Hawkins, Avery Johnson, Josh Ritchart and Tyler Les, the coach?s son. They?ve won all 10 home games this season and are trying to become the first team since Long Beach State in 2011-12 to finish a season undefeated at home.
They routed UC Irvine 75-56 on Friday and beat Northridge 68-55 on the road Saturday, both without Hawkins, who has dealt with a lower-leg injury most of the season.
While Hawkins, the conference?s scoring leader, is still day-to-day, Ritchart and Les have filled the offensive void.
Ritchart was named the Big West Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 21.5 points and shooting 70.8 percent from the field in the wins over Irvine and Northridge. Les had 32 combined points in the two wins.
The Aggies, ranked 13th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25, lead Division I in three-point percentage (46.2) and are No. 4 in field-goal percentage (50.3).
The Aggies (18-4, 8-1), in first place in the Big West Conference, have a four-game winning streak entering their game against last place Cal State Fullerton (9-14, 1-7). Next Thursday, the Aggies play at second-place Long Beach State (13-12, 7-2), which lost 73-67 in overtime Jan. 10 in Davis.
Fullerton lost its first six Big West games before beating Northridge 69-53 last Thursday. The Titans then lost to UC Riverside 71-66 in overtime at home Saturday, their third overtime loss in conference this season.
While UC Davis coach Jim Les is wary of a Titans? team with little to lose, he doesn?t expect the Aggies to have a letdown.
?Home court in league, you?ve got to win those games,? Les said. ?We?ve got a standings board in the locker room that the players see every day. ? (Tyler said) they are going to have to drag us out of the penthouse kicking and screaming.?
The Aggies, picked to finish seventh in the preseason media poll, are led by fifth-year seniors Corey Hawkins, Avery Johnson, Josh Ritchart and Tyler Les, the coach?s son. They?ve won all 10 home games this season and are trying to become the first team since Long Beach State in 2011-12 to finish a season undefeated at home.
They routed UC Irvine 75-56 on Friday and beat Northridge 68-55 on the road Saturday, both without Hawkins, who has dealt with a lower-leg injury most of the season.
While Hawkins, the conference?s scoring leader, is still day-to-day, Ritchart and Les have filled the offensive void.
Ritchart was named the Big West Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 21.5 points and shooting 70.8 percent from the field in the wins over Irvine and Northridge. Les had 32 combined points in the two wins.
The Aggies, ranked 13th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25, lead Division I in three-point percentage (46.2) and are No. 4 in field-goal percentage (50.3).
