Even though the vast majority of students are focused on the celebrations and events that are slated to take place throughout the upcoming weeks, there is a select group of individuals who are more concerned about what will take place five months from now. 

That's when UC Davis men's basketball will return to action as the defending Big West champions.

After experiencing a historic season, one that captured the attention of the school's student body, surrounding communities, fans and pundits from across the country, the Aggies are eager to return to the court to begin their title defense. UC Davis earned a spot on college basketball's national map; looking at the list of accomplishments that took place throughout the 2014-15 season, it is easy to see why everyone is paying attention to this team, program and school.

This past year, men's basketball:

• Earned its first-ever appearance in a Division I postseason game
• Captured its inaugural Big West Conference championship
• Ended the season as national three-point champions
• Finished the year as the only D-I team to post top five field goal and three-point field goal percentages
• Recorded a +16 win differential - No. 1 in the nation and a Big West record
• Received a No. 8 national mid-major ranking
• Posted a perfect home record
• Set new school records for the most overall (25), home (14), conference (14), non-conference (11) and road (10) wins

Whether in person, or on any of the six networks that featured UC Davis on its national broadcasts, basketball fans witnessed the most successful season since the team's transition to Division I competition, if not the 104-year history of the program. (Some Aggie fans, and members of the 1997-98 Division II national championship team may argue otherwise... let the friendly debate begin!) 

From the moment coaches and student-athletes convened last summer to commence off-season workouts, student-athletes and coaches invested countless hours to ensure that everyone succeeded in the classroom and on the court.

Each victory brought additional attention to the program; after winning 12 of its first 15 games, a new D-I school record, UC Davis anchored itself atop the Big West standings from the first to last day of league play. In doing so, the Aggies earned the No. 1 seed at this year's Big West Tournament, collected more all-conference and specialty awards than any other team.

When announced, Corey Hawkins, Josh Ritchart and Josh Fox received All-Big West Conference accolades; for the first time in school history, the Player of the Year (Hawkins), Sixth Man of the Year (Fox) and Coach of the Year (Jim Les) all hailed from UC Davis.

In addition to collecting his second Big West scoring title in the last three seasons, Hawkins also led all Division I players from three to receive the first NCAA Division I statistical championship in school history.

As the postseason progressed, the senior guard earned all-district recognition from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and National Association of Basketball Coaches, became the first player in program history named Associated Press All-American, competed in the national three-point championship and College All-Star Game

In that showcase, which took place during Final Four weekend, which featured the nation's top talents, Hawkins stole the show by scoring a game-high 20 points and was named Most Valuable Player. 

This year's recipient of the Colby E. "Babe" Slater Award presented to UC Davis' male athlete of the year, ends a storied career as the school's No. 2 scorer with 1,694 career points. 

Also joining Hawkins as one of the Aggies' all-time top scorers is Ritchart. Ranked No. 10 in school history by scoring 1,326 points throughout his tenure as an Aggie, the senior swingman also etched his name in the program's book of records with 86 career blocks (No. 5) and 116 assists (No. 10).

Among all active Big West players this past season, nobody recorded more baskets from three than Ritchart. The rare post player who also possessed a deft jump shot, Ritchart made 234 baskets from three throughout his 130-game career as an Aggie.

Ranked No. 2 among all active league players last season with 209 career three-point field goals was Tyler Les. Even though everyone knew how dangerous Les was from distance - 89 percent of his field goals made took place from behind the arc - the Aggies' sharpshooter still found ways to frustrate opponents.

When UC Davis hosted Hawai'i (2/21), Les lit up the Pavilion and brought fans to their feet by draining nine three-point baskets - the most scored by an Aggie against a Division I opponent in program history.

By ending his career with a .441 percentage from three, Les is now ranked No. 10 all-time in Big West history.

Even though he only competed for two seasons, Avery Johnson made his presence felt from the first day he arrived to campus. Known throughout the league as the team's defensive specialist - he always drew opponents' most dangerous player(s) as his assignment - Johnson also developed a dangerous jumper from three since becoming an Aggie. 

In addition to leading the team with 39 steals, Johnson was one of four Aggies to post a Big West top-10 shooting percentage from three (Hawkins, Les and Ritchart were the others).

Whether it was behind the three point line - Johnson gave the Aggies the lead for good when he sank a clutch three in the final minutes of overtime when UC Davis hosted Cal Poly in a game televised on ESPNU - or at the free throw line where he sank 47 shots - more that twice as many compared to last season's total - the senior guard always provided his team with energy on both ends of the floor.

Named Big West Sixth Man of the Year in his first season at UC Davis, Fox, an All-Big West selection, terrorized opponents throughout his first year as an Aggie - something he hopes to replicate next season.

What started with his 23-point breakout game when UC Davis hosted Utah State (11/16), continued throughout his inaugural season as an Aggie; no Big West player was more effective from the floor that Fox, who recorded the No. 1 individual field goal percentage in the league.

J.T. Adenrele was one of four Aggies who started every game played. As remarkable a feat as that is, Adenrele faced a unique situation compared to the other three: he played a pivotal role for his team coming off a one-year hiatus due to injury.

Responsible for four double-digit scoring efforts throughout the Aggies' non-conference schedule, Adenrele nearly posted double-double stat lines throughout the season and made his presence felt throughout the paint. 

No player in the team's Division I history has blocked more shots that Adenrele, who will look to add to his total of 86 once his senior season starts in November. 

Team depth was a major reason why the Aggies were able to succeed at an unprecedented level last season. Having the ability to interchange lineups, and players at every position at-will, UC Davis was able to make that late-season push to win its first league championship by successfully managing everyone's minutes throughout the year. 

Justin Dueck, who will earn his degree and graduate this spring, and Neal Monson provided the coaching staff with a formidable rotation of post players. Due to the aggressive nature of the team's practices, both accelerated the development of their teammates' skill set, in addition to their own.

Monson, who finished his first season at UC Davis with an attention-grabbing .614 percentage, was one of four non-starters who competed in all 32 games this past season. Combined with Darius Graham, Brynton Lemar and Georgi Funtarov, these four players will comprise one of the most talented junior classes in the entire conference.

Graham, the team's on-court general, ended the year ranked No. 7 among all Big West players with his 1.38 assist-to-turnover ratio and No. 10 with his 3.19 assists per game average. He also led all Aggies with his 102 assists - nearly matching his total from his first two years with the team.

Another key reserve that competed in every game this past season, Lemar knocked down shots in clutch situations and made key plays on both ends of the court when needed. It was his layup, and subsequent free throw on a three-point play in the final seconds, that forced overtime when the Aggies hosted Long Beach State in ESPNU's nationally televised broadcast. 

With six incoming players looking to make a smooth transition to college competition, Funtarov and Onyebalu will each have an increased role with the team next year. Able to provide their team quality minutes as a swingman and guard respectively, this past year's experience will serve as an asset to both as they continue their college career. 

Since taking the helm four years ago, head coach Jim Les, his staff, and all of the student-athletes under their tutelage have worked tirelessly to create a culture of academic and athletic excellence. 

As the defending league champions, everyone within the program is ready to invest the time, effort and energy needed to ensure that the events and success that took place are more than just the highlights of a historic season, but the start of something special at UC Davis.