Gray hits six 3s as UC San Diego beats UC Irvine 75-61 for Big West title and NCAA Tourney berth
HENDERSON, Nev. — Hayden Gray knocked down six of his seven 3-point attempts and UC San Diego pulled away late to beat UC Irvine, 75-61 to earn its first Big West Conference Tournament championship and its first NCAA Tournament berth on Saturday night.
The Tritons moved up from Division II to join the conference in 2020 and won the regular season championship with 18 wins in 20 conference games. They have now won 15 straight and take a 30-4 record into the Big Dance in their first full year of Division I eligibility.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Ex-Louisville star Russ Smith arrested for suspicion of DUI, reckless driving
Louisville Metro Police arrested a former Louisville basketball star early Sunday morning for driving under the influence of alcohol. Russ Smith, a member of the 2013 Louisville basketball team who won the NCAA Tournament that was later vacated, was stopped after police spotted him making a U-turn across multiple lanes and noticed his license plate tag had expired, the Courier Journal reported after viewing the arrest citation. Police detected a 'strong odor of alcoholic beverages' on Smith's breath when they first talked to him, and he failed a field sobriety test after he told officers that he drank 'two bourbon pours neat' before getting behind the wheel, according to the arrest citation. 3 Russ Smith was arrested early Sunday morning. Louisville Metro Corrections 3 Russ Smith looks to pass during Louisville's game in November 2012. Getty Images The Queens native 'swayed' when he stepped out of the car and failed a walk and turn test, WDRB reported. Smith had a 0.073 blood alcohol content, but in the state of Kentucky, drivers can still be prosecuted if they have a BAC of above 0.04 but below 0.08 as long as there is other evidence to support the case. 'That fact may be considered, together with other competent evidence, in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant,' according to the statute in the state. A police spokesperson told WDRB that 'we will allow the arrest slip to speak for itself,' when asked about Smith's BAC. Smith faces charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving and having unregistered license plates. 3 Russ Smith drives to the basket during Louisville's game in March 2014. Getty Images He was released without bond and is due back in court for an arraignment hearing on June 11 at Jefferson County District Court. WDRB reported that Smith is slated to play in The Basketball Tournament this summer, a winner-take-all tournament with a $1 million prize. Smith played four years at Louisville, and he averaged 14.3 points per game. He had brief NBA stints with the Pelicans and Grizzlies, as well as some time in the G-League and overseas. Smith played his high school ball at Archbishop Molloy in Queens
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
How social media reacted to UNC's baseball season ending against Arizona in Super Regional
How social media reacted to UNC's baseball season ending against Arizona in Super Regional There was a dejected feeling across social media after UNC's baseball season came to a close on Sunday. After an 18-2 explosion against Arizona on Friday afternoon, the North Carolina Tar Heels found themselves one victory away from a second-consecutive trip to the College World Series. UNC led late in Game 2 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional Saturday, but its bullpen faltered late in a 10-8 loss. North Carolina held another late lead Sunday, leading 3-1, but that didn't last long. Diamond Heels captain Jackson Van De Brake botched a would-be double play ball in the eighth inning, with Arizona soon after taking the lead by scoring three runs. UNC's offense remained stagnant after escaping the eighth, with UNC losing 4-3 – and watching its hopes of a second-straight CWS berth come to a screeching halt. North Carolina (46-15) fell behind early in Game 3, just like it did on Saturday, but took the lead on more clutch hitting. Van De Brake, who walked four times against the Wildcats (44-19), smoked a 3-run, third-inning home run on a line drive just over the left field wall. The Diamond Heels couldn't muster much after Van De Brake's bomb, though, minus a couple baserunners. UNC didn't get a single runner on base in the ninth inning, with Tyson Bass, Sam Angelo and Carter French all going hitless. Ryan Lynch, typically a long-relief option for North Carolina out of the bullpen, pitched phenomenal on Sunday before being pulled in the eighth inning. Diamond Heels closer Walker McDuffie struggled again in relief, recording just one out, giving up a hit and walking one batter, while his lone unearned run was the eventual game-winning for Arizona. Let's take a look at social media and see the college baseball world's reaction to UNC's loss, which was a heartbreaker considering how UNC was two innings away from Omaha: Comparing UNC's choke to the Dallas Cowboys Arizona is loving life right now UNC didn't score the offense went cold Van De Brake helped get UNC to Supers Disagreement about the ending of Game 3 UNC couldn't cash in on its best team in years This was supposed to be the year Tar Heel Nation feels your pain Don't jump to conclusions Tyson Bass struggled Sunday after a big Game 2 Van De Brake gave UNC the easy on him Did fielding and pitching cost UNC a chance at Omaha? Thank you to the Diamond Heels' veterans Mistakes came at the worst time kids are still in college Ryan Lynch gave UNC a chance to win If you just started watching UNC during the NCAA quiet The talent was result wasn't Postseason baseball is weird
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
'He was wonderful to coach': Nate Oats believes Clifford Omoruyi can flourish in the NBA
'He was wonderful to coach': Nate Oats believes Clifford Omoruyi can flourish in the NBA Clifford Omoruyi established himself as a dynamic player in college, and the former Alabama standout is looking to showcase that ability and more ahead of the 2025 NBA draft. Omoruyi was born in Nigeria and moved to New Jersey at the age of 14. He eventually committed to play at Rutgers in March 2020 after fielding over 20 offers, becoming the first consensus top-50 recruit to join the program since Kadeem Jack in 2010. The 6-foot-11 center saw steady improvement over his four years with the Scarlet Knights, culminating with two All-Big Ten Defensive Team selections. He played with a relentless motor, fighting for every rebound while protecting the rim at a high level. Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks on 51.2% shooting from the field as a senior during the 2023-24 season. He ranked fourth in the country in blocked shots (93) and was the first player with at least eight blocks in multiple conference games since 1999-00. "Just being Nigerian, you've got to push yourself to be better," Omoruyi told Rookie Wire of his energetic playing style. "Everybody is trying to win and chase their dreams, so if I don't do it, someone is going to do it. It is just better if I push myself to do it." Fresh off a tremendous season, Omoruyi entered the transfer portal and was viewed as one of the top available interior defenders. He eventually chose the Crimson Tide over the likes of Georgetown, Kansas State and North Carolina, among other programs. Omoruyi helped Alabama advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year, averaging 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 37 appearances. He registered two double-doubles and ranked ninth in the country in 2-point field goal percentage (73.9). The 23-year-old finished in double figures 13 times this past season, including a season-high 17 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks on March 21 in a win over Robert Morris in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. "The best thing he does is protect the rim and rebound, and you've got to have that to win," Alabama head coach Nate Oats told Rookie Wire. "We are the only school in the country that has made the last two Elite Eights, so he helped us have a really successful year. We competed for an SEC championship, and the SEC was the best conference in the history of college basketball this year, and we were one of the top teams. He helped us with all of that." Omoruyi stepped into a starting role at Alabama, averaging 19.2 minutes per game, a decrease from 26.9 minutes per game the previous season. Oats and the team used a more pro-style approach designed to maximize their personnel, including Omoruyi. Because of their depth, Omoruyi wasn't required to log 30-plus minutes a night. By keeping him mostly in the 18-24 range, Omoruyi was able to continue to make high-energy plays by chasing loose balls, crashing the glass and protecting the paint. Omoruyi adjusted well to how the Crimson Tide operated on offense by serving as a consistent lob threat, with his athleticism and 7-foot, 6 1/4-inch wingspan. He put pressure on the rim as a roller in pick-and-roll situations and expanded his offensive game by handling the ball more. "He definitely wasn't used to playing at the pace we did, but I think he picked that up as it went on," Oats said. "He was used to getting the ball a lot more in the post, coming from Rutgers. He had no complaints ever about scoring less. He was really just a team guy and did whatever we needed him to." Omoruyi is now focused on proving himself, with team workouts and interviews ramping up before the draft on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York. He signed with Edge Sports, which also represents Indiana Pacers forward Enrique Freeman, among other players. The Nigerian has made his 3-point shooting a point of emphasis during his offseason workouts, putting up at least 500 shots in the gym on most days. He is also working on various other elements of his game, such as pick-and-rolls, ball handling and attacking the rim. "I have really improved greatly because I've been working on everything," Omoruyi said. "During the season, my coaches knew I could shoot, but that wasn't my game. They just wanted me to be a better player and work on what I'm good at, so I've been working on adding the 3-pointer to my game, and that is going well." Omoruyi previously tested the predraft process in 2023, competing in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago, Illinois. He views himself as a completely different player than he was at that time, and is more comfortable doing different things on the court. That experience prepared him for this year, after he finished his collegiate career with the Crimson Tide. He is looking to make the most of this process and is eager to show teams that he can be a reliable player at the next level. "I can be the best version of myself, I just need the opportunity to get there and keep doing what I'm doing," Omoruyi said. "I'm already a great defensive player, and I can improve more. I just have to keep improving on my shooting and everything." Omoruyi is considered a potential second-round pick, with many projecting him to be a productive backup center. He has completed several workouts with teams, including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, and has additional visits scheduled this month. After a productive five years in college, Omoruyi is on the verge of advancing to the next stage of his career. He left his mark at each stop over that span, and is looking to do it again in the NBA. "He is one of the best kids I've ever coached," Oats said. "He is great. He has a high IQ and is all about the team. He was wonderful to coach. Whoever gets him is going to get a great kid. I hope he ends up in a great situation where he gets a real chance to play. I think he'll take full advantage of it."
