Davis, Calif. — The 2022-23 UC Davis Men's Basketball team opens its season Monday night against Pac-12 member Cal on Nov. 7, at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley. The game will air on Pac-12 Network with Roxy Bernstein and Ben Braun on the call. Scott Marsh will present the action on the Varsity Network.
The Golden Bears were 12-20 overall and 5-15 in the Pac-12 in 2021. UC Davis is fresh off a 13-11 season, after going 5-6 in Big West play. The Aggies enter the 2022-23 season predicted to finish sixth in the conference with a roster highlighted by seven new faces.
WHAT: UC Davis at Cal
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 7, 2022
TIME: 8 p.m. PT
WHERE: Berkeley, Calif.
ARENA: Haas Pavilion
WATCH: Pac-12 Network
LISTEN: Varsity Network
STATS
NEW FACES
Jim Les and staff welcome seven newcomers to the Aggie program this season and put an emphasis on adding players with size and versatility. The list of Aggie newcomers includes: Joaquin Strong, Ty Johnson, Jac Mani, Sam Manu, Robby Beasley III, DeAndre Henry, and Niko Rocak.
DEPTH AND SIZE
While the addition of seven new players is a major storyline for UC Davis basketball, addressing depth and possessing players with the ability to play both inside and out is what Coach Les looks to build on this season. After only having three players 6'7 or taller last season, UC Davis now rosters seven players who carry this distinction. In an always competitive Big West Conference that at times relies on running traditional lineups featuring two bigs, Les prioritized bringing in new faces that will allow the Aggies to throw out lineups that can maintain the pressure and pace they want to play at, while also being able to target mismatches on a nightly basis.
PEPPER'S TEAM
After recording a career-high 15.1 points per game last season, Elijah Pepper is ready to take yet another jump in his growth in becoming the focal point of UC Davis Basketball. Coach Les calls Pepper, "one of the most competitive people I've been around, and I've been around guys like John Stockton." Not only is he returning in the 2022-23 season as the leading scorer for the Aggies, he is also returning as the voice and culture setter that many of the younger players and newcomers can look to for what it takes to carry themselves as an Aggie.
LONE SENIOR
While people from the outside looking in are focused on how the new Aggies will perform this season, lost in it all is lone senior, Christian Anigwe. While Pepper may serve as the main scorer on most nights, Anigwe is set to be a huge part of the Aggie rotation. After battling all of last season with nagging injuries, his leadership and presence on the floor could be a big factor for UC Davis this season. Coach Les praised Anigwe's toughness for being able to play through pain all of the 2021-22 season and the hope is that fully healthy, he can prove he is a force to be reckoned with and unlock another level of play with his ability to step outside and create mismatches.
GUARD PLAY
While the focus of the offseason was to get more versatile on the perimeter by adding length, the guards for the upcoming season and the depth at this position also is something Coach Les has raved about. With returners Elijah Pepper, Ade Adebayo, Leo DeBruhl, Kane Milling, and Sione Lose, there is plenty of skill and versatility among the crop to play in three and even four-guard sets with confidence. The additions of Robby Beasley III who has proven himself as a scorer and floor spacer and Ty Johnson with his defensive prowess and NCAA Tournament experience also provides UC Davis with plug and play guys who will be ready to make an impact right away.
EUROPE TRIP
After having to battle many different circumstances the past two seasons, the Aggies were afforded the chance to take a trip to Europe this offseason. Having a chance to spend time as a team together and focus on team-bonding activities with a new group when in years past it was difficult to just practice is hoping to pay big dividends for the program this year.
SEASON OPENERS
The season opener at Cal will mark the fourth straight year the Aggies open on the road. UC Davis downed Utah State in the season opener last season, 72-69. The Aggies last opened a season against a current member of the Pac-12 in 1998 at Stanford.
PAC-12 MATCHUP
UC Davis won its last contest against a Pac-12 foe, downing Oregon State, 71-64, last season in Corvallis. The Aggies fell by a combined 10 points in back-to-back road games at Cal and Utah in 2019.
CAL OUTLOOK
Cal is 33-0 all-time against UC Davis. In the last contest in 2019, Cal edged the Aggies, 72-66. The Golden Bears are led by Mark Fox, the Eastern New Mexico graduate who has a 3-0 record against UC Davis with two of his wins coming during his years at Nevada. In Cal's lone exhibition matchup against Chico State, 11 players saw action and, much like UC Davis is a team that will be looking for major contributions from new faces like former Texas Longhorn and Kentucky Wildcat, Devin Askew. The Golden Bears are projected to finish 11th in the Pac-12 by ESPN.
NEXT TIME OUT – AGGIE HOME GAMES
UC Davis will open the home slate against Cal Maritime on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. and admission is free. Season and single-game tickets are now available. For more information, click HERE, or call the ticket office at 530-752-2471.
