The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team is the basketball team that represents University of California, Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California, United States. The school's team competes in the Big West Conference. The current head coach is Joe Pasternack. The Gauchos have appeared seven times in the NCAA tournament, most recently in 2023.
The Blue–Green Rivalry
The main rival of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's basketball team is the Cal Poly Mustangs men's basketball team. The rivalry is a part of the larger Blue–Green Rivalry, which encompasses all sports from the two schools.
Yearly records
Source
Postseason NCAA Division I The Gauchos have appeared in seven NCAA tournaments. Their combined record is 1–7.
1988 #10 First Round #7 Maryland L 82–92 1990 #9 First RoundSecond Round #8 Houston#1 Michigan State W 70–66L 58–62 2002 #14 First Round #3 Arizona L 81–86 2010 #15 First Round #2 Ohio State L 51–68 2011 #15 First Round #2 Florida L 51–79 2021 #12 First Round #5 Creighton L 62–63 2023 #14 First Round #3 Baylor L 56–74
NCAA Division II The Gauchos appeared in two NCAA tournaments. Their combined record was 3–2.
1961 Regional SemifinalsRegional FinalsElite Eight NevadaLong Beach StateSouth Dakota State W 78–57W 58–54L 65–791963 Regional SemifinalsRegional Third PlaceFresno StateSan Francisco StateL 60–68W 58–56
NIT results The Gauchos have appeared in five National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 0–5.
1989 First Round Wichita State L 62–70 1992 First Round Arizona State L 65–71 1993 First Round Pepperdine L 50–53 2003 First Round San Diego State L 62–67 2008 First Round Mississippi L 68–83
Vegas 16 results The Gauchos appeared in the first and only Vegas 16 tournament held. Their record was 1–1.
2016 QuarterfinalsSemifinals Northern IllinoisOld Dominion W 70–63L 49–64
CBI results The Gauchos have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) one time. Their record is 0–1.
2015 First Round Oral Roberts L 87–91
CIT results The Gauchos have appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). Their combined record is 0–1.
2012 First Round Idaho L 83–86
NAIA tournament results The Gauchos have appeared in the NAIA Tournament one time. Their record is 3–2.
1941 First RoundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsNational 3rd Place Game Wayne StateBemidji StateAppalachian StateMurray StateWest Texas State W 32–26W 31–29W 36–29L 33–35L 35–46
Retired numbers
The Gauchos have only retired one number in program history, that of guard Brian Shaw.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos retired numbers No.PlayerPos.CareerRef. 22 Brian Shaw PG / SG 1986–1988 Former Gaucho Great Brian Shaw Named Head Coach of Denver Nuggets at ucsbgauchos.com, 25 Jun 2013
Gauchos in the NBA Richard Anderson: San Diego Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, 1982–1990 Don Ford: Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, 1975–1982 Conner Henry: Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, 1986–1988 Orlando Johnson: Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, 2012–2016 JaQuori McLaughlin: Dallas Mavericks, 2021–2022 Ajay Mitchell: Oklahoma City Thunder, 2024–present Miles Norris: Boston Celtics, 2025 James Nunnally: Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, 2014–2019 Brian Shaw: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, 1988–2003 John Tschogl: Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, 1972–1975 Gabe Vincent: Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, 2020–present Alan Williams: Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, 2015–2019
Gauchos in international basketball
Michael Bryson (2012–2016) Lucius Davis (1988–1992) Scott Fisher (1982–1986) Matt Freeman (2019–2020) Branduinn Fullove (2000–2004) Tom Garlepp (2002–2020) Alex Harris (2004–2008) Max Heidegger (2016–2020) Zack Moore (2018–2019) Jay Nagle (2018–2022) James Nunnally (2008–2012) Greg Somogyi (2008–2012)
References
External links