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Print This StorySacramento State (4-22) At UC Davis (8-20)
GAME NOTES: The Sacramento State Hornets will attempt to halt a six-game losing streak in tonight's non-conference matchup with the UC Davis Aggies. Sacramento State has only won four of its 26 games this season, and the team is a lowly 2-13 in Big Sky Conference play. Eleven of the last 12 outings have resulted in defeat, including a heartbreaking 52-51 setback against Idaho State on Thursday. The Hornets have played 14 true road games to date, and all 14 have ended in losses. UC Davis is a respectable 7-7 at home, but the team is 8-20 overall and 2-12 in Big West Conference action. The Aggies are in the midst of a crippling 11-game slide that includes Thursday's embarrassing 95-50 loss to Pacific. The Hornets own a 5-4 edge in the all-time series with UC-Davis.
Sacramento State is scoring only 63.8 ppg this season, and the team is shooting a mere 40 percent from the floor. The Hornets have struggled at the defensive end as well, as opponents are racking up 76.3 ppg on 49 percent field goal efficiency. Rebounding has been a problem area for sure, as foes are ripping down 7.5 rpg more than Sacramento State. Loren Leath is the top scorer for the Hornets with his 13.4 ppg, but his 33.7 percent shooting from the floor is absolutely horrendous. Vinnie McGhee adds 12.1 ppg, and he has dished out 129 assists. In the one-point loss to Idaho State on Thursday, McGhee posted 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field. Leath also shot 4-of-13 for the Hornets, who connected on a mere 37.7 percent of their total shots as a team. A 41-32 rebounding disadvantage also contributed to the loss and overshadowed a strong defensive performance.
UC Davis shot just 37 percent from the floor against Pacific on Thursday and permitted 66.7 percent shooting at the defensive end, so it isn't hard to figure out why the game ended in a 45-point loss. The Aggies were also outrebounded by a 36-16 margin, disappointing to say the least. Vince Oliver and David Carter both scored 13 points in the setback. Overall this season, the Aggies are netting a mere 62.5 ppg while surrendering 70.9 ppg to the opposition. Oliver is scoring 12.3 ppg, and Shane Hanson checks in with 10.4 ppg. Rebounding has clearly been a problem area, and the team is also committing more than 15 turnovers per contest.
Give a slight edge to UC Davis based solely on the homecourt advantage. Clearly, neither of these teams is very good, but at least they are likely to produce a close and fairly entertaining game tonight.
Predicted OutcomeUC Davis 65, Sacramento State 62Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
