In some ways, UC Santa Barbara had a similar opening to UCLA. With 14 minutes left in the second half they were only up 4 against a Jackson State that had been blown out by California Baptist until they pulled away. Of course, UCLA never pulled away. but “The Beach” is better than Jackson State.
That said, that is where the similarities end. UC Santa Barbara is picked second in the Big West. The Gauchos are a relatively experienced team that is returning key players and has a coach who just had his hundredth win with the program.