The UC Davis Aggies are set to face the Cal Poly Mustangs in San Luis Obispo, California, on , as the Big West Conference basketball season continues. This matchup pits a UC Davis team performing well within conference play against a Cal Poly squad currently struggling through a losing streak.
Cal Poly’s Struggles and Rebounding Focus
Cal Poly enters the game having lost their last eight contests. Their record stands at 3-19 with a 1-11 mark in Big West games. The Mustangs have found limited success at home, posting a 3-7 record in San Luis Obispo. A key area of focus for Cal Poly has been rebounding, where they rank ninth in the Big West, averaging 30.9 rebounds per game. Charish Thompson leads the team in this category, averaging 5.4 boards per game.
UC Davis’ Conference Success and Offensive Rebounding
In contrast to Cal Poly, UC Davis has demonstrated strength within the Big West, holding a 9-3 record against conference opponents. The Aggies are eighth in the league in offensive rebounding, securing an average of 8.0 offensive rebounds per game, with Megan Norris leading the charge at 2.2 offensive rebounds per game. This emphasis on second-chance opportunities has contributed to their success.
Statistical Matchup: Three-Pointers and Scoring
The statistical profile of these two teams reveals some interesting dynamics. Cal Poly allows an average of 7.4 three-pointers per game, while the Mustangs themselves only make 4.1. This represents a significant difference of 3.3 made three-pointers per game. Conversely, UC Davis averages 69.3 points per game, which is 3.6 points fewer than the 72.9 points Cal Poly concedes on average. These figures suggest that UC Davis could potentially exploit Cal Poly’s defensive vulnerabilities from beyond the arc, while also needing to contain Cal Poly’s overall scoring output.
Key Players to Watch
For the Mustangs, Vanessa McManus is a key offensive threat, shooting 33.0% from three-point range and averaging 1.7 made three-pointers per game. She also contributes 18.7 points and 5.1 rebounds overall. Charish Thompson has also been a consistent performer recently, averaging 13.4 points and shooting 44.2% from the field over the last ten games.
The Aggies rely on Avery Sussex for outside shooting, as she averages 2.4 made three-pointers per game, scoring 11.5 points while shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc. Megan Norris has been a dominant force in the paint, averaging 13.9 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks over the past ten games. Her rebounding prowess and defensive presence will be crucial for UC Davis.
Recent Form: A Tale of Two Teams
Looking at recent performance, the contrast between the two teams is stark. Cal Poly has gone 1-9 in their last ten games, averaging just 55.8 points, 32.4 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 7.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 36.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged a significantly higher 70.5 points per game.
UC Davis, has been on a 7-3 run, averaging 67.0 points, 38.0 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 7.0 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game, with a field goal percentage of 39.3%. Their opponents have managed an average of 63.3 points. This demonstrates a clear difference in both offensive efficiency and defensive solidity.
First Conference Meeting
This matchup marks the first conference game between UC Davis and Cal Poly this season, adding to the anticipation and importance of the contest for both teams. For UC Davis, it’s an opportunity to further solidify their position in the Big West standings. For Cal Poly, it’s a chance to break their losing streak and gain momentum as the season progresses.
The game is expected to highlight the contrasting styles of play between the two teams, with UC Davis leveraging their offensive rebounding and three-point shooting against Cal Poly’s rebounding focus and reliance on key individual performances.
