Mid-Major favorites have been dropping like flies early in conference tournament week. UC Santa Barbara are trying to avoid that fate and go dancing for the first time in a decade. They will have to fend off perennial contender UC Irvine and a good UC Riverside team that finished 2021 strong.
The Favorite:
UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos have been the best team in the conference for the duration of the season. After slipping up early in the year versus UCI, UCSB was able to win 13 of its last 14 games. Metrics love this team as they are efficient from the field and are able to take care of the while turning you over. UCSB is led by Oregon State transfer JaQuori McLaughlin, 5th year senior from Washington. The guard can beat you in a variety of ways with a 52/39/87 shooting split. He also is the Gauchos primary play maker with a top 40 assist rate nationally. If UCSB can take care of the Big West this week, McLaughlin can become a star come Mid-March.
Team to Watch:
UC Irvine: For the last half decade, the Anteaters have been the league’s bully. They have won 4 of the past 6 regular season titles and have been to the dance twice. UCI was the only team in the Big West to sweep the favorite and their grind it out defensive style is built for March. The name to know here is Collin Welp. Another Washington native, the 6’9 Jr. is averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds a game.
Players to Watch:
Jaquori McLaughlin, UCSB: The guard is going to be Big West Player of the Year. All that’s left to accomplish is helping his team to their first NCAA Tournament since 2010.
Collin Welp, UCI: A walking double-double, Welp has a game that helps UCI spread teams out on offense. His numbers in only 25 minutes per game speaks to his efficiency. Look for that MPG stat to go up when the Eaters need him most.
Zyon Pullin, UC Riverside: Pullin is a big part of a emerging Highlanders program that finished third in the Big West. The Sophomore is UCR’s second leading scorer and the second in assists in the conference.
The Prediction:
UC Irvine is going to be the team that takes down the nets this week in Vegas. Beating the Gauchos will not be easy, but Collin Welp and co. play a style built for March. That combined with some experience from the 2019 Big West Champion has me liking the Eater to go to the Dance. ZOT-ZOT