TODAY

* UC SANTA BARBARA (7-19 last season) at PEPPERDINE (17-10), 5 p.m., Fox Sports West 2, KIEV (870)--Coach Lorenzo Romar starts his third season at Pepperdine. He was 23-31 in his first two seasons but is looking for big things this season, thanks to the return of 6-6 senior Jelani Gardner, who transferred from California two years ago. Gardner, who averaged 14.1 points and 5.4 assists last season, could be the best player in the West Coast Conference after a strong finish as a junior. Tommy Prince, a 6-5 senior, might play more at shooting guard than small forward. David Lalazarian, a 6-7 transfer from Notre Dame, and Nick Sheppard, a 6-11 transfer from Louisiana State, will be counted on to give the Waves inside help. UC Santa Barbara’s first-year coach, Bob Williams, replaces Jerry Primm, who was fired after last season. Brandon Payton, brother of NBA all-star Gary Payton, is the top returning player for the Gauchos. Payton, a 6-foot sophomore, made 36.8% of his three-point shots last season. B.J. Bunton, a 6-7 senior, is the Gauchos’ top returning inside player.