MENBig West Conference

UC Irvine (11-13, 6-5) at UC Riverside (5-17, 2-9), 7 -- Irvine has won three of its last four games thanks to a defense that is giving up only 55.8 points a game during that stretch -- more than eight points less than the Anteaters’ conference-leading season average of 63.9. Riverside has lost five of six games and holds a half-a-game lead over UC Davis for the eighth and final spot to make the conference tournament.

Cal State Northridge (17-6, 9-2) at Long Beach State (6-18, 3-8), 7 -- The conference-leading Matadors are entering a crucial part of their schedule with their next three Big West games on the road. They are 7-4 away from home this season but have lost two of their last three road games. Donovan Morris is averaging 27.5 points over the last six games for the 49ers, who lost, 100-61, at Northridge on Jan. 26.

UC Santa Barbara (19-6, 8-4) at Pacific (17-8, 8-4), 7 -- Santa Barbara has won two in a row and five of its last six. Another would give the Gauchos 20 wins for the first time since 2001-02 and only the second time since 1991-92. The Tigers have lost consecutive games for the first time this season and have lost three of their last six to drop into a tie for third in conference. They defeated Santa Barbara, 71-58, on Jan. 24.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (9-14, 4-7) at UC Davis (8-17, 2-10), 7 -- Cal Poly has lost three of its last four games and is averaging only 57.3 points during that stretch. The Mustangs have won their last three games against UC Davis, including a 79-67 decision on Jan. 24. Davis has lost eight consecutive games, but is 7-6 at home.

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-- Peter Yoon