UCSB’s men’s basketball team will take on Hawaii on Saturday at the Thunderdome in the first Big West Conference meeting between the two schools. The Gauchos will be without the services of leading scorer and rebounder Alan Williams, pictured, who is out temporarily with a hamstring injury. The 4 p.m. game is being televised on Fox Sports West.
UCSB women?s water polo coach Cathy Neushul hit the recruiting trail hard during the off season and landed one of the strongest freshmen classes in program history.
The talented newcomers join eight returnees from a team that won 20 matches, forming a squad that has high hopes for the season.
Water polo fans can get their first look at the new-look Gauchos this weekend at the UCSB Winter Invite at Campus Pool.
UCSB, ranked No. 15 in the country, is playing seven games in three days. It opens the tournament on Friday against Azusa Pacific at 9 a.m., Concordia at 11:45 and Cal Baptist at 4:45 p.m. On Saturday, the Gauchos play Sonoma State at 11:20 a.m. and Arizona State at 6:20 p.m.
The marquee game is Sunday at 8 a.m., against No. 3-ranked UCLA. The Bruins feature former Dos Pueblos High stars, sophomore goalkeeper Sami Hill and freshman attacker Kodi Hill.
The Gauchos close out the busy weekend against Pomona Pitzer at 4:10 p.m.
UCSB is led by goalie Ruth Milne, an All-Big West first-team selection and an honorable mention All-American last year. She averaged 7.4 saves per game and set a school record with 405 saves last season.
The Gauchos opened the season last week with wins over Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State San Bernardino, and the freshmen made an immediate impact. Samantha Murphy scored five goals in the two wins and Holly Smith tallied three goals against San Bernardino.
Coach Neushul said the new players will be counted on right away.
“As a matter of fact, a very significant number of those freshmen are going to see playing time this year. They are a really skilled class,” she said.
Other events worth checking out:
FRIDAY
FILM: Santa Barbara International Film Festival ? There are several sports films attached to this year’s film festival, which began on Thursday, January 24 and runs through the end of next week. Find a listing of the sports movies HERE
BOYS BASKETBALL: Santa Barbara at San Marcos, 7 p.m. ? The Royals won the first two meetings: in the final of the Jim Bashore Holiday Classic in Carpinteria and the first Channel League encounter at Santa Barbara. San Marcos is in first place in league play and Santa Barbara is in third.
SATURDAY
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Rio Mesa at Santa Barbara, 4 p.m. ? This non-league game will feature two of the top all-around players in the tri-counties: Ivette Gil of Santa Barbara and Ashley Ontiveros of Rio Mesa.
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Hawaii at UCSB, 4 p.m. ? This is the first Big West meeting between the schools. Hawaii boasts the tallest team in the conference. Its probable starting lineup goes 6-8, 6-8, 6-10, 6-4, 6-4. The Gauchos will be without their big offensive weapon, Alan Williams. The 6-8 sophomore suffered a strained hamstring in the double-overtime win against Cal Poly last Saturday.
SURFING: Rincon Classic ? The Rincon Classic has been called off this weekend as the organizers wait for better conditions. The next possible date for Santa Barbara’s largest annual surf contest is Super Bowl weekend.
MONDAY, JAN. 28
BOYS BASKETBALL: Santa Barbara at Ventura, 7 p.m. – Basketball Hall of Famer Jamaal “Keith” Wilkes will be recognized prior to this Channel League game between the Dons and the Cougars in Ventura. Wilkes played at both schools during high school;?Buena at Dos Pueblos 7 p.m. ? The Chargers try to stay in the hunt for the Channel League title.
TUESDAY, JAN. 29
GIRLS SOCCER: San Marcos at Dos Pueblos,?5 p.m. ? The Royals surprised the Chargers in first meeting.
BOYS SOCCER: Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 5 p.m. ? Goleta Valley rivals played to an exciting 2-2 draw in the first meeting.
MEN?S BASKETBALL: Concordia at Westmont, 7:30 p.m. ? The defending NAIA national champs come to Murchison Gym to face the GSAC-leading Warriors.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30
MEN?S VOLLEYBALL: UC Irvine at UCSB, Rob Gym, 7 p.m. ? The Gauchos play the defending national champions in a MPSF match.
