California Baptist University
UT Arlington
MBB Preview: CBU Looks to Clinch Spot in Las Vegas in Final Week of Conference Play
3/5/2024 4:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University men's basketball is entering into a critical final week of conference play with two games on deck. The week will begin with a trip to the Lone Star State to take on UT Arlington and conclude with Senior Day on Saturday against Grand Canyon.
The Lancers will have a berth in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament on the line in the final week, with a myriad of different scenarios to punch their ticket to Las Vegas. CBU currently sits at 8-10 in WAC play, tied with Stephen F. Austin for the 8th and final spot, and both teams sit two games ahead of Utah Tech, who is still alive in the race. The way for the Lancers to make the tournament would be one win in the final two games or a Utah Tech loss in their final two games. Utah Tech will be on the road in their final two games, starting at UTRGV on Thursday and then the finale at SFA on Saturday.
The Lancers are coming off their largest margin of victory of the season, besting UTRGV by 36 points at home on Saturday. The win was their largest against a DI opponent since 2020 and moved their home record to 11-6.
Complete Team W in the Riv tonight!! #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Z2QBAvl4bq
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) March 3, 2024
GAME #1 @ UTA:
A road trip to Arlington will begin the crucial week for the Lancers as they take on the Mavericks, who have wrapped up a bye in the WAC Tournament. The Mavericks are one of the hottest teams in the conference and currently boast a five-game win streak. The Maverick's last loss came in mid-February to the equally hot Tarleton Texans in a two-point game.
To date, the Mavericks are the only team in the WAC the Lancers have yet to lose to, holding a 2-0 record over them. CBU defeated the Mavericks in a nail-biter in early February of this season 64-63 in Riverside behind a 38-point backcourt performance from Blondeau Tchoukeuigno and Scotty Washington. This will be the second matchup in Arlington for CBU, with the first occurring last season when the Lancers defeated UTA 74-66 in the Maverick's first season as a WAC member.
Hard-Fought W's Hit Different 😤#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/1yfTo7yMDM
— California Baptist Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 9, 2024
The Mavericks excel at getting to the free throw line and moving the ball, ranking top 50 in the nation in both categories. UTA is 35th in the NCAA in free throws made per game and 37th in attempts, shooting over 22 per contest. The Mavericks also share the ball at the highest rate in the conference, dishing out 15.5 per game. The 15.5 assists per game is 47th in the country, and the team is led by guard Phillip Russel, who averages over four per game.
GAME #2 vs. GCU:
The final game of the regular season will be on Saturday against Grand Canyon and will serve as Senior Day for CBU. The Lancers will honor five players on Senior Night: Malik Wade, Zach Wrightsil, Yvan Ouedraogo, Blondeau Tchoukuiegno, and Hunter Goodrick.
The Lopes may have hardware on the line for this game as they have a chance at clinching the WAC Regular Season Title. The Lopes are one game ahead of Tarleton, but the Texans play two games in the final week compared to just one for GCU. If the Texans win both of their contests, the Lopes must win to clinch a share of the title. If the Texans split their games this week, the Lopes will be playing for the outright title.
Grand Canyon has enjoyed tremendous success and, due to the Resume Seeding system, has already claimed the #1 seed in the WAC Tournament. GCU is 26-4 this season and has received votes in the Associated Press poll throughout the season. Grand Canyon is one of 14 teams in the nation that went undefeated at home (16-0) and is #9 in the College Insider Mid-Major poll.
The Lancers gave the Lopes a scare in mid-February as they pushed GCU to the brink in Phoenix. The Lancers would ultimately fall 79-76, but the three-point margin was the closest any team has gotten to upsetting the Lopes at GCU Arena this season.
CBU AT A GLANCE:
CBU has hung its hat on the defensive end of the court, ranking 32nd in the country in scoring defense and #1 in the conference. The Lancers hold their opposition to 66 points per game and have only surrendered an 80-point game twice this season. CBU has allowed 70 points only eight times this season and has held an opponent under 60 points seven times.
On the glass, the Lancers average outrebounding their opponent by 5.3 rebounds per game, good enough for 36th in the nation. A key reason for the success is the frontcourt of Hunter Goodrick and Yvan Ouedraogo. Goodrick and Ouedraogo are both in the top 70 in the country in rebounding at 54th and 67th, respectively. The Lancers are one of three teams in the nation with two players in the top 70 in rebounding and have the second-best duo in the country in combined rebounding behind Lassina and Aboubacar Traore from Long Beach State. Goodrick and Ouedraogo are 1st and 3rd in the WAC in rebounds per game, and Goodrick also leads the conference in total rebounding with 250.
Another key storyline for CBU has been the success of Tchoukuiegno and Washington. Since the injury to Daniels Jr., the backcourt of Blondeau Tchoukuiegno and Scotty Washington have picked up the offensive slack. In the last seven games, Washington and Tchoukuiegno have combined to average 33.5 points per game. Washington has averaged 16.5 points per game and has made 30 triples in eight starts. Tchoukeuigeno has averaged 16 ppg, three rpg, and five apg during that stretch.
GAME INFORMATION:
Game 1
Opponent: UT Arlington
Date and Time: Thursday, March 7 at 5 PM PT
Location: Arlington, TX- College Park Center
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: FOX AM 1350
Game 2
Opponent: Grand Canyon
Date and Time: Saturday, March 9, at 5 PM
Location: Riverside, CA- Dale E. & Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: FOX AM 1350
Tickets: Here
