The UC Davis Aggies (2-0, 1-0 ATS, 1-0 O/U) collide with the Loyola Marymount Lions (1-1, 0-1 ATS, 1-0 O/U) in a state rivalry battle on Saturday evening. The Aggies went 12-10 last year and defeated Cal Maritime last time out. The Lions recorded a 10-17 record and lost to UC Riverside in their previous action. These foes last met in 2019 in a game UC Davis won 67-65.
The UC Davis Aggies are targeting a third straight win to begin the season. It was a bit of a rough year in 2021-2022, going 12-10 on the year but will definitely build on that win total with a more experienced roster this year. They were six-point dogs in a convincing 76-65 road win against California of the PAC-12 in the opener and easily beat non-DI foe Cal Maritime by a 90-67 score on Wednesday night.
The Aggies have one of the best players in the conference, Elijah Pepper. The junior guard was named to the All-Big West first team in the preseason poll. He averaged 15.1 PPG last year and scored 16 points in the opener. Christian Anigwe is a great defensive player and enters his senior year. The 6-foot-9 forward logged 9.9 PPG and 5.7 RPG last year and collected 21 points in the win against California. Robby Beasley III arrives in a transfer from Montana where he posted a stellar 11.8 PPG last year. The sophomore guard amassed six and five points respectively in two games.
Jac Mani with the presence in the paint and the Aggies lead 81-62 with 3:31 left. #GoAgs pic.twitter.com/RvjKEMNQl3
— UC Davis Men's Basketball (@ucdavismbb) November 10, 2022
The Aggies are ranked 168th in DI in Ken Pomeroy’s college basketball ratings and were voted to finish in sixth place in the 11-team Big West conference but could easily be a top-three squad if they improve offensively. UC Davis scored an average of 68.6 points last season, pegging them 242nd. They conceded an average of 66.7 points, positioning them 105th.