Davis, Calif. — Kicking off the 2023-24 season, UC Davis men's basketball will welcome Jessup University and former Aggie assistant Mark Darnall to the University Credit Union Center.
Nov. 6 vs. Jessup University | 6 p.m. Tip-off (Davis, Calif.)
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Nov. 9 vs. Pepperdine University | 2:30 p.m. Tip-off (Davis, Calif.)
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THINGS TO WATCH
UC Davis is ready to make some noise in The Big West Conference and beyond.
Led by senior guard
Elijah Pepper, who averaged a conference-best 22.5 points per game last season, the Aggies have a revamped roster that boasts depth, versatility and talent.
Pepper, who also contributed 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, earned a spot on the All-Big West First Team and established himself as a bona-fide stat-sheet stuffer while also profiling out as one of the most prolific scorers in the nation. He will be joined by his running mate, junior guard
Ty Johnson, who was an all-conference honorable mention after posting 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Together, they form the highest-scoring returning backcourt in all of Division I basketball, and the second-highest scoring returning duo overall, behind only St. John's Jordan Dingle and Joel Soriano.
But the Aggies are not a two-man show. They have a wealth of options at the guard position, including
Leo DeBruhl,
Kane Milling, and Sione Lose, who have all proven themselves capable of playing significant minutes and producing on both ends of the floor. The Aggies call themselves "guard rich" this season, and for good reason. Along with the returners, the Aggies added have added
Connor Sevilla and
Drew Carter into the fold.
The frontcourt is not to be overlooked either.
Francesco Borra,
Niko Rocak and
Jac Mani provide the Aggies with size, strength and skill in the paint. This group has stood out in the preseason, displaying a physical edge that translates into efficient scoring in the paint, dominant rebounding, and effective shot-blocking.
The Aggies also have some versatile forwards in
Pablo Tamba,
Ade Adebayo, and
Sam Manu who can play multiple positions and contribute in various ways. Tamba, a 6-foot-7 junior from Spain possesses a unique skillset of athleticism and length that will really pop in transition offensively, while also giving the Aggies a weak-side shot blocking presence defensively. Adebayo, the 6-foot-5 senior who is the team's best defender and leader is a player all Aggie fans know and love. He can guard any position and disrupt the opponent's offense with his quickness, instincts and toughness. Adebayo's role as the do-it-all defender will be even more crucial this season, as the Aggies lost their top shot blocker from last season,
Christian Anigwe, to graduation.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS
Jessup University is led by former Aggie assistant, Mark Darnall. The Warriors are 2-1 to begin the season, recording two nail-biting wins against Montana State University-Northern, and Southern Oregon.
Through three contests, Myles Corey and Anthony Enoh have led the Warriors. Corey is averaging a team-high 18.3 points per game while Enoh is leading Jessup in rebounds, hauling in 10 boards a game while also being second on the team in scoring with 12.7 points per game.
ABOUT THE WAVES
The Waves are led by head coach Lorenzo Romar who is in his 27th season as a collegiate head coach. The Waves finished last season 9-22 overall, but look to be improved from a season ago.
On the court, the Waves are led by two West Coast Conference Preseason squad members in Houston Mallette, and Jevon Porter who lead an experienced group that returns 54.7% of their team's minutes from a year ago.
SERIES NOTES
The Aggies are 5-0 all-time against the Warriors. The last official meeting between the two programs took place on December 4, 2020, a contest in which the Aggies defeated Jessup 95-62.
Pepperdine and UC Davis have only met one time, with the Waves holding the 1-0 advantage after downing the Aggies 72-67 back on November 17, 2021.
DICTATING THE PACE
Pace, and defense are two key areas that UC Davis emphasized a season ago. This was illustrated after the Aggies ranked third in the country in free throw attempts, and 40th in the country in turnovers forced.
The Aggies play with a relentless energy on both ends of the floor, and it all begins with their havoc-wreaking defense. The Aggies excel at making life miserable for their opponents with suffocating on-ball pressure and quick hands in the passing lanes, which results in more chances and easy points on the break.
Look for much of the same this season as UC Davis has a team with great depth and versatility that should continue to push the pace and dictate the flow of action.
PRESEASON HONORS
UC Davis guard
Elijah Pepper was named to the Big West Preseason Coaches' Team for the third time in his career, as announced by conference officials. In a vote by the coaches within the conference, Pepper, the All-Big West First Team selection from a year ago enters the 2023-24 season as one of the most well-rounded players in all of college basketball after averaging 22.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game last season.
Last season's record breaking year put Pepper into some elite company. Not only averaging the fourth most points in the country a season ago, Pepper also broke UC Davis' single-season scoring record after pouring in 697 points last year.
He trails the all-time career scoring record by just 219 points, needing to pass Corey Hawkins and Audwin Thomas. It first started for Pepper when he scored 17 points against Milwaukee last season and eclipsed the 1,000 career points scored mark. He became the 25th Aggie in history to reach the spectacular feat and just the 10th in the Division 1 Era for Aggie Basketball.
In addition to his historic scoring season, Pepper filled up the stat-sheet enough to become just the sixth Aggie to ever to receive NABC honors after being named to the All-District 9 First Team at the conclusion of last season after leading the Aggies in points, rebounds, and assists.
SENIOR CLASS
Elijah Pepper,
Kane Milling,
Ade Adebayo and
Sam Manu will be in their final seasons donning an Aggie uniform. With Pepper being the focal point of UC Davis, Milling, Adebayo, and Manu should all play big roles on the team this year with Milling and Adebayo projected out as starters to begin the season, while Manu should see key reserve minutes at the forward position.
NEW FACES
Pablo Tamba,
Connor Sevilla,
Drew Carter and
Marsalis Roberson join the Aggies as newcomers for the 2023-24 season.
Transfer from Indian River State College who initially started his career at Idaho State, Tamba brings athleticism and length to the Aggies. An experienced performer on the international stage he has competed for the Spain U20 National team on multiple occasions.
From San Ramon, California, Sevilla is the lone true freshman on the team this season. During his prep days at Dougherty Valley, Sevilla was garnered as one of the most underrated players in the area, earning All-State 3rd team last season.
A transfer from Cal, Roberson will spend this season recovering from an ACL injury. Seeing regular action as a reserve at Cal, Roberson was a decorated prep player for Bishop O'Dowd, earning MaxPreps 1st Team All-State.
Transfer from University of Colorado Boulder, Carter spent two seasons as a quarterback on the football team for the Buffaloes. Carter returns to the hardwood and joins the Aggies after being a highly touted prospect in basketball during his prep days, once ranked as the No. 5 prospect in Oregon.
INTERNATIONAL ROOTS
Another season, and another year with a strong international presence on the Aggie roster. Competing for UC Davis men's basketball this season are eight players with international roots:
TWO NEW STAFF MEMBERS
UC Davis has finalized its 2023-24 staff with the additions of
Tanner Collins as its newest Video Coordinator, and
Matt Shubert who will oversee all Sports Performance related activities.
TICKET INFORMATION
Fans have a multitude of options at their disposal to fit any ticketing needs, including
Season Tickets, three different
Mini Plans including the all new Flexbook, and discounted
Group Tickets for any game available now. Single-game tickets are also available through
ucdavisaggies.com/tickets. Fans can also call (530) 752-2471 or email
aggietickets@ucdavis.edu for more information.
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