After a hot start to the 2025-26 season, UC San Diego men’s basketball has struggled in the Big West, going 2-2 with losses to Cal Poly and Cal State Fullerton. As conference play continues and the reigning Big West champions navigate the remainder of the season, The UCSD Guardian’s men’s basketball beat writers Sam Propst and Alan Zhang analyze the season so far and give their predictions for the next two months of play.

How has the season gone so far?

Sam Propst: With the Tritons currently boasting a 12-4 record, this has by no means been a poor season. However, UCSD’s struggle to beat lower-ranked teams like San Diego and Cal Poly — who both edged out 2-point wins against the Tritons — is concerning. For a team that forged a historic season last year, the Tritons’ early-season stumbles don’t bode well for the rest of the conference schedule.

Alan Zhang: It’s been a Jekyll and Hyde season for the Tritons so far. At its best, UCSD swept the competition at the ESPN Events Invitational, going 3-0 while shooting an impressive 52% from deep. At its worst, UCSD lost against Division-I opponents San Diego, Cal Poly, and Cal State Fullerton, all of whom are in the bottom half of the NET rankings.

Where does UCSD need to improve?

SP: The biggest struggle for the Tritons is finding their flow early on in games. The Tritons seem to have trouble finding their footing in the first half, usually only getting it together in the second half — as seen in their Dec. 28 game against Stanton. The second half is when the Tritons shoot with intention, go for offensive rebounds, and come together defensively to force tough shots. As conference play continues, the Tritons need to bring their A-game at tip off, not later.

AZ: As we reach the halfway point of the season, rebounding remains a thorn in the Tritons’ side. UCSD has lost the rebounding battle in 11 of its 16 games, including in three of its four losses this season. A notable low point was against a San Diego team that entered as one of the worst rebounding squads in the country. Against the Toreros, the Tritons grabbed a meager eight offensive rebounds while USD secured 15, including a key offensive board with four seconds left that preceded Torero junior guard Ty-Laur Johnson’s game-winning shot.

Which player has stood out the most?

SP: Freshman guard Hudson Mayes has shone in his breakout collegiate season. He boasts an average of 7.7 points per game, a 65.6% field-goal percentage, and 57 defensive rebounds — the second highest on the team. Mayes has proven himself in both offensive and defensive scenarios, which has been critical to the Tritons’ successes.

AZ: On his best night, redshirt junior forward Leo Beath is the finest player in the Big West — a Swiss Army knife that can create crafty looks in the paint while also shooting an impressive 42% from deep. It’s hard not to draw a comparison to Triton legend and 2025 Big West Player of the Year Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones. However, a recent cold streak has hindered Beath’s momentum, with Beath averaging only 8 points in his last four games against Division-I opponents.

What is the key game for UCSD?

SP: If there’s one opponent to look out for, it’s UC Irvine. Currently first in the Big West, the Anteaters have yet to lose a conference game. The Tritons — who defeated the Anteaters in the 2025 Big West Championship final — will play UCI for the first time this season at home on Jan. 24. It’s a vital match for a Triton team trying to prove itself against conference opponents and continue last season’s postseason success.

AZ: Although Hawai’i is probably UCSD’s biggest rival in pursuit of defending its Big West title, UC Irvine presents the biggest challenge for this Triton team. This is a weaker Anteater side than the one that went 32-7 last season, but it remains a top defensive team, limiting its opponents to shooting 37.5% from the field this season. The Tritons will certainly need to bring their A-game to win their home and away matchups against the Anteaters on Jan. 24 and Feb. 21.

Where do you think UCSD will finish in the Big West this season?

SP: Before the start of the season, I was hesitant about a repeat of last year. UCSD was coming out of a fairytale season, but with a roster full of new faces under a new head coach, the Tritons aren’t the same team that brought home last year’s conference banner. Now that the Tritons are knee-deep in conference play, I’m more confident in their potential. UCSD will finish first in the Big West.

AZ: If you asked me this question before conference play, I would have confidently told you that UCSD would repeat as Big West champions. Now, after a pitiful last two weeks, the Tritons would be lucky to finish in the top two. They may finish higher if they can get their act together, but for now, I project that UCSD will finish third in the Big West.