Part One - One of many, but like no other
Part Two - Hello America!

Fourteen teams tried, all of them failed. That is because UC Davis invested the time, effort and energy beginning with its off-season workouts, through the final day of the season to ensure that each team left Hamilton Court disappointed. In doing so, everyone inside the Pavilion on March 7 - Aggie fans, students, student-athletes, faculty, staff members and coaches - could finally celebrate something special when UC Davis swept UC Irvine, last year's Big West Conference champions, by virtue of its 19-point victory.

For the first time as a Division I program, and the second occasion in the 104-year history of the program, UC Davis posted an undefeated home record.

Two days earlier, the Aggies officially clinched a No. 1 seed at the Big West Men's Basketball Tournament and an automatic postseason berth by winning the program's first-ever league championship. With tournament play looming, who could blame UC Davis for resting its starters and playing it safe?

Not this year's coaching staff or team, especially with the way the Aggies were playing at that time.

"This game against UC Irvine was special in so many respects: the home court record, continuing to build our résumé for the postseason, building momentum heading into next week and making sure we send these four seniors out appropriately after all they have done for this program," said head coach Jim Les.

"We play to win."

By entering the final game of the regular season with the same mindset as its first, the Aggies captured their 24th victory - the most since the 1999-2000 season. As proclaimed on the t-shirts that adorned the student body that exited the arena that night, UC Davis did "Protect the Pavilion" - an accomplishment experienced only by this year's team, and the 1997-98 roster in the 104-year history of the program.

The Aggies' success was not limited to their own floor, men's basketball felt just as comfortable on the road as well since the team entered postseason play with a 10-4 road record. In doing so, UC Davis ended its year as the only Big West team to sport a winning road mark.

The formula is a time-honored one, and something that every coach in the country wants to achieve: If a team protects its home court, and is able to post a winning road record, a successful season is, more often than not, the end result. By accomplishing both, the 2014-15 roster cemented its legacy as one of the top teams in school history.

Another important factor that influenced this year's results was the way the Aggies won their games, regardless of location.

Whether on Hamilton Court, or someone else's, UC Davis' poise and maturity always kept the team within striking distance. On six occasions, the Aggies trailed at halftime, but battled back in the second half to record a victory. In 10 games, men's hoops trailed in the second half before walking off the court with a "W."

Regardless of location, UC Davis felt just as comfortable holding a lead late in the game as it did erasing one. In 20 games, men's basketball held the lead with five minutes remaining. On all 20 occasions, the Aggies celebrated a victory in their locker room after the final buzzer.

Even when it trailed entering crunch time, UC Davis' confidence neverwavered; this is why the team also won four of its games when trailing with five minutesleft on the clock.

On three occasions, UC Davis trailed in the very last minute regulation before upending their opponent.

Another three games needed an additional five minutes of game time to determine a victor. On each occasion, the Aggies stepped up in clutch situations to record an overtime victory.

Suffocating defense was another staple of UC Davis basketball.

Ten opponents were held to 59 points or less throughout last season; the Aggies won every game. Of the 12 teams that were lucky enough to break that threshold and score between 60-69 points, UC Davis emerged victorious 11 times.

Throughout the season, UC Davis led the league with its scoring margin, field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, three-point field goals made per game and rebounding defense. As displayed by the numbers themselves on an ever-evolving, and weekly basis, the Aggies played stellar basketball on both ends of the court, on a consistent basis.

Combined with its poise, experience, and chemistry, this is why 2014-15 team negated any home court advantage faced when on the road,and maximized its own to become impossible to defeat inside the Pavilion last year.

Entering its season opener, Individual accolades were the last thing the Aggies cared about. Winning, and earning those results by respecting the game and playing the right way, was the only thing that mattered. In doing so, the program accumulated numerous awards, accolades and honors throughout the team's march to its first-ever Big West crown.

The final installment of a four-part season review will focus on the accomplishments, both individually and collectively, that were earned throughout the most successful Division I campaign in school history.