UC Davis has talent, experience to compete at high level

UC Davis fell short of its ultimate goal of punching its ticket to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Aggies played a tight, back-and-forth contest against Long Beach State in the Big West championship game before falling 74-70, leaving them one victory away from clinching the automatic berth.

Last year’s sour ending has energized the Aggies entering this season. They return 10 players from last year’s runner-up finish, including star guard T.Y. Johnson, and believe they have the pieces to clinch its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2017.

“To get to that championship game and come up just a little bit short is disappointing,” coach Jim Les said. “You never want to get to that point and finish in second.”

The Aggies’ experience will play a vital role in their success this season. Les also emphasized the team’s defensive work heading into this season as a key to determining their postseason fate.

With the departure of Elijah Pepper to a professional career in Australia, Johnson will lead the Aggies this season.

“I think we have the best-returning player in the league in T.Y. Johnson,” Les said. “T.Y. has shouldered the burden of expectations of being our best player and one of the best guards on the West Coast.”

The senior averaged 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season. Johnson was the conference’s seventh-leading scorer in 2023-24, with teammate Pepper ranking first with 20.7 ppg. 

Johnson originally declared for the transfer portal but remained at UC Davis for his final year of eligibility. 

Niko Rocak is another player returning to the team for another year. The 6-foot-9 Switzerland forward was the team’s leading rebounder last season, with five rebounds per game.  

UC Davis was the best scoring defense last season, holding opponents to 68.1 ppg in the Big West. The Aggies were also the third-best in opponent field goal percentage and opponent 3-point percentage in the conference. 

Les described incoming transfer guard Carl Daughtery Jr as, “a guy that just plays with great physicality and tenacity.”

The UC Davis coach said the team has the length and athleticism to create havoc for opposing offenses next season. 

“I’m excited about this group on the defensive end of the floor,” Les said. “It’s been proven that the top teams in the Big West have traditionally been the best defensive teams.”

Les and the Aggies will open up the season on the road against Washington on Nov. 5.