Gauchos Will Go After 21st Victory of Season

UC Santa Barbara’s 20-6 overall record figures to earn the Gauchos a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. basketball tournament, but considering the lack of respect the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. traditionally gets in the selection process, they would prefer to get another win tonight in the regular-season finale against UC Irvine.

Santa Barbara (12-5 in the PCAA) probably has lost the No. 2 seeding in the conference tournament to Utah State (also 12-5). Even if the Gauchos defeat Irvine, Utah State would be seeded No. 2 because it swept the season series with Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara downed Irvine, 81-78, in the conference opener at the Bren Center Jan. 4.