UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

From Hoopedia

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a coeducational public university located on the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara County, California, USA. It is one out of 10 campuses of the University of California. Its current student body is around 18,000. U.S. News ranks UCSB the 44th best university and the 13th best public university in the United States.

Men's Basketball

The Gauchos men's basketball team had its best years in the late '80s and early '90s under coach Jerry Pimm, highlighted by a 77-70 victory over #1 UNLV in 1990, and NCAA tournament appearances in 1988 (lost to Maryland) and 1990 (defeated Houston and lost to Michigan State). The Gauchos returned to the NCAA tournament in 2002 where they nearly upset powerhouse Arizona in the opening round. UCSB basketball and volleyball teams play at the UCSB Events Center, commonly known as the Thunderdome (capacity 6,000).

Women's Basketball

In 2005, the women's basketball team won its unprecedented ninth straight Big West Conference Championship. The team had its best year in history during the 2004 season when it advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 where it lost to eventual champion University of Connecticut.