A difficult road schedule that includes games at LSU and Cal and a home slate that features the contests against Big West rivals Long Beach State and Cal Poly, as well as the first conference match-up against Hawai’i, highlight UC Santa Barbara’s 2012-13 men’s basketball schedule, head coach Bob Williams announced Thursday.
Alan Williams, who became a starter in the second half of the season last year as a freshman, will be UCSB’s most experienced player in the post for 2012-13.
“Once again we are playing a very challenging schedule,” Williams said. “Our road schedule is particularly challenging, especially for a young team, but it will set us up for some great home games in the future.”
The Gauchos, who will have just one senior to go along with seven freshmen and three sophomores, will play seven non-conference road games to go along with five non-conference home games.
The regular season non-conference home slate includes San Diego (Nov. 21), Wyoming (Nov. 28), an ESPNU Bracket Buster opponent (Feb. 23), The Master’s College (Nov. 17) and San Diego Christian (Dec. 15). Santa Barbara will also host a Nov. 1 exhibition game against La Verne.
The road schedule includes games at LSU (Nov. 9), Illinois State (Nov. 12), Boise State (Nov. 24), Santa Clara (Dec. 1), San Diego State (Dec. 5), Cal (Dec. 18) and on Dec. 21 another match-up against Wyoming. LSU and Cal are scheduled to return their games and play UCSB at the Thunderdome in 2013-14. San Diego State will join the Big West that same year and should pay a visit to Santa Barbara as well.
The conference schedule will open on Dec. 29 when the Gauchos travel to the possible league-favorite, Cal State Fullerton. They will play the Titans in Santa Barbara on Mar. 7. After playing its first Big West home game against UC Irvine on Jan. 3, UCSB will host Long Beach State on Jan. 5 in a rematch of the last three Big West Tournament championship games. The teams will meet for a second time in Long Beach on Jan. 30.
Central Coast rival Cal Poly will visit the Thunderdome on Jan. 19 and Hawai’i makes its Santa Barbara debut on Jan. 26. The Gaucho play at Cal Poly on Feb. 16 and at Hawai’i on Feb. 28). The rest of the tough Big West schedule includes Cal State Northridge (Jan. 24 at home and Mar. 2 on the road), Pacific (Jan. 10 on the road and Feb. 9 at home), UC Davis (Jan. 12 on the road and Feb. 7 at home) and UC Riverside (Feb. 20 on the road and Mar. 9 at home).
Season tickets are available for both men’s and women’s basketball. An “early bird” special for both teams represent strong savings. The Gauchos are also introducing a season ticket option for the new “Legends” section aptly named for the Legends of the ‘Dome who are honored with banners celebrating them.
With the home schedule becoming tremendously strong in the next few years ? visits by LSU, Cal, San Diego State and Utah State are on the horizon – the men’s basketball Big West +1 mini-plan is back and allows fans to receive tickets for the entire nine-game league schedule and any of the non-conference games for just $99 per seat.
With the early bird special, men’s season tickets are as low as $99 and women’s as low as $79. There are also tickets available in both the Gold and Blue sections by calling 805-893-UCSB (8272) or online by clicking here.
Act fast, as prices go up on Sept. 7.
UCSB faculty and staff receive a special price for men’s and women’s basketball as well as this year’s men’s soccer season tickets, which are on sale now.
