UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #122
Conference Rank: #2 Big West
Coach Joe Pasternack has had two very successful seasons at UCSB. The Gauchos have finished in second place in the Big West in those two seasons. This could be the year UCSB can take that next step and win a conference title. They will have to do it without top scorer Ar’Mond Davis though.
2018-19 Record: 22-10, 10-6
2018-19 Postseason: None
Coach: Joe Pasternack
Coach Record: 45-19 at UCSB, 99-79 overall
Key Departed Players:
Ar’mond Davis, Guard, 13.1 ppg
Jarriesse Blackmon, Forward, 4.7 ppg
Ami Lakoju, Forward, 2.7 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Amadou Sow, Sophomore, Forward, 12.2 ppg
Max Heidegger, Senior, Guard, 11.9 ppg
Devearl Ramsey, Junior, Guard, 10.3 ppg
JaQuori McLaughlin, Junior, Guard, 10.3 ppg
Robinson Idehen, Junior, Forward, 3.7 ppg
Jay Nagle, Sophomore, Forward, 3.5 ppg
Sekou Toure, Sophomore, Guard, 3.2 ppg
Key New Players:
Roberto Gittens, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Matt Freeman, Senior, Forward, Grad Transfer from Oklahoma
Brandon Cyrus, Junior, Guard, Transfer from DePaul
Jakov Kukic, Freshman, Forward
Projection:
Amadou Sow had a superb freshman campaign. The 6-9, 235 pound forward is the team’s top returning scorer and rebounder, averaging 12.2 points and 6.6 boards per game. If he can keep improving, UCSB has a superb scoring threat in the paint. The backcourt has three returning players that averaged over ten points per game as well. Max Heidegger, Devearl Ramsey and JaQuori McLaughlin are all quality scorers and passers. Ramsey and McLaughlin in particular will provide much of the three-point shooting for this group. With Sow becoming an ever increasing offensive threat in the paint, the shooters should get plenty of open looks. Coach Pasternack has also brought in three Division I transfers who will all look to make a big splash at their new home. Brandon Cyrus spent two seasons at DePaul where he averaged 7.2 points as a sophomore. Roberto Gittens will add more backcourt depth after spending some time at the junior college ranks. In the frontcourt, Matt Freeman is a 6-10 graduate transfer from Oklahoma who can shoot the long ball efficiently. He will add another dynamic to the Gauchos offense and that could be the missing piece that finally puts UCSB over the top and into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.4 (149th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.1 (44, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.4 (117, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.6 (111, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (301, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.3 (181, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.6 (147, 1)
Rebound Margin: 6.6 (15, 2)
Assists Per Game: 13.5 (174, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.1 (36, 1)
