Oct. 31, 2008

DAVIS, Calif. - After two full weeks of practice in the books, the UC Davis men's basketball team will take part in its annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage Saturday. It's another step in the team's preparation for the 2008-09 season, which begins in two weeks at the World Vision Basketball Classic in Ames, Iowa.

Among the many benefits to players and coaches, the intrasquad scrimmage will provide an opportunity for the four newcomers to the program to take part in a game-like setting with the returning players. Those student-athletes include three incoming freshmen in the form of Ryan Howley, Jacob Ranger and Julian Welch. In addition, Derek Oestreicher is in his first year with the Aggies after transferring from Shasta College. It won't be the first action for the remaining 12 Aggies, who took part in the team's European Tour over the summer. That experience included four games against various national teams.

The Blue-Gold Scrimmage is the last such scrimmage prior to the team's two exhibition games scheduled for next week. The Aggies take on Bethany on Tuesday night before hosting Notre Dame de Namur on Friday. Both exhibitions tip at 7 p.m. and include free admission.