UC Davis is coming off two consecutive winning seasons, posting a 20-win season last year for the first time since 2017-18.
With the most returning players of any school in the conference, the team holds a significant advantage heading into next season. They have high expectations and expect to compete in the Big West.
Mid-Major Basketball is previewing all Big West teams for the 2024-25 season. Up next is the Aggies.
Last season
UC Davis finished last season with a 20-13 overall record, including 14-6 in conference play for a third-place finish in the Big West standings. The Aggies received the second seed in the Big West postseason due to UC San Diego’s transition from Division II to Division I.
In the tournament, UC Davis received a first-round bye and played their first game against Hawaii, winning 68-65.
The Aggies faced Long Beach State in the Big West Tournament championship game for an opportunity to dance in March Madness. UC Davis ultimately fell to Long Beach, 74-70.
Players
The Aggies retain one of their key players from last season’s team, as guard T.Y. Johnson entered the transfer portal but opted to remain with UC Davis for the 2024-25 season. The guard averaged almost 18 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season.
Returning to the squad is senior guard Leo DeBruhl. The 6-foot-2 guard was the Aggies’ fourth-leading scorer with 5.8 points per game. DeBruhl also had around three assists and two rebounds per game.
Incoming transfer sophomore Nils Cooper will join the Aggies squad this season. Cooper last played for Pepperdine and averaged 5.0 points per game in 33 appearances for the school.
Schedule
The Aggies will kick off their season on Nov. 5 with a road game against Washington, a new member of the Big Ten, to open their non-conference schedule.
UC Davis will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to face one of their toughest non-conference opponents in Grand Canyon.
The Idaho Vandals are on the Aggies’ schedules twice this season as part of a home-and-home series. The first game will be in Davis, California, on Nov. 7, with the away match being on Dec 18 in Moscow, Idaho.
The Aggies will host Cal Poly on Dec. 5 to open the conference slate during Bold Week. UC Davis will host Long Beach State in a rematch of the conference championship game on Jan 11.
UC Davis will host UC San Diego on March 8 to close the season. The Big West tournament will be held March 12-15 for a chance to punch their way into the NCAA Tournament.
Prediction
The Aggies retained the majority of last season’s squad, including their best player in Johnson. UC Davis has great chemistry heading into the season, which could allow the Aggies to find a rhythm early and get off to a good start.
The team has had two winning seasons in a row, and there are no signs of slowing down. The Aggies are on pace to be in the top half of the Big West standings and make some noise competing for the conference title.
