I apologize for my ignorance, but I am not sure how the FCS selection process works. I guess I can be excused since the Ags have never been in contention for a berth. Does the Big Sky champ get an automatic slot? If we do not win the championship, is it up to the committee?

I never give up on the Aggies. I learned that lesson the hard way back in 1971 when I went to Hayward for Football game in which the Aggies were down by 15 points with about 3 minutes left in the game, I told my friends that UCD's cause was lost so we might as well leave. As we were driving out we heard a roar and we could glance back and see that the Ags had scored touchdown, but I knew they needed a 2 point conversion, successful onside kick, another TD and another 2 point conversion so I kept on going. When I got back to Davis, my friends there who had heard the game were telling me how lucky I was to be there. My expression told them all they needed to know about what I missed. I guess that game with Bob Biggs at QB is now a legend. I have never left, stopped watching or given up on any Aggie sport since then.

I can see the Aggies winning all but one of their remaining games. Eastern Washington is now ranked #6 in the FCS Coaches poll and even though they are at UC Davis, I would be surprised if the Ags wiin that one.

For what it's worth, I was just happy to be able to see the Ags play on TV out here in Hawaii. I think this is only the third time I've seen them play in the past 40 years. One time they came to Hawaii and got trounced by the Warriors. I also saw them lose to Cal. So it was a loss to the #9 team in the country. I was proud of the way the guys competed and my first look at Keelan Doss was great.

I've long though that there should be a separate division for the mid majors, a 1AA or something. It would allow teams from the SWAC, Big Sky, WAC, Big South, etc. and of course the Big West to have a real shot at a national championship. I imagine no one favors it because of all the money involved and the mid-major leagues like the chance for the glory of knocking off a Virginia or Arizona. Still, splitting Division 1 into two would allow more major teams into the tournament as well as giving the mid-major teams a separate champion.

I actually looked at Chima's twitter (I was not looking for it, but it came up when I googled his name) and he says nothing, but is clearly sad about the whole thing. He is not denying anything. In one tweet he wrote this: "Dear God, please help me protect my peace. Give me the strength and courage to remove all things that are negative and are draining my life." Everything else is pretty positive and forward looking, such as shout outs to Jim Les and TJ Shorts.

Any news about what happened to Chima?

Good point, Zander. Going forward, though, I hope the Ags can get a seed higher than 16. Had the 2014-15 tam made the NCAA and gotten hot from the 3, I could see them doing that. The 3-ball is a great equalizer. I thought Virginia played very poorly, not to take anything away from the Retrievers. UMBC was really hot from outside the arc and were even able to penetrate, due to UVA's weak defense. I did not understand why the Cavaliers kept hoisting up perimeter shots when they had such a height advantage. Still, they were victims of their own complacency coming in and then gradually lost composure in the second half.

The west coast got robbed this year by the selection committee. Both St. Mary's and USC should have been in the tournament.

Also, I agree about the officiating, but I do not think it cost us the game. Not being a follower of women's basketball or even football, I'll be back on this site in November when the Aggie B-ball team gets back on the court. I'm really glad I found this sports talk site. Thanks to whomever created it and for all the great information, opinions and reactions from all of you guys (and gals?).

This reminded me of the NCAA game against Kansas last year in that the Ags started well but got overwhelmed by superior talent and size. They might have pulled it out if they had hit their shots, but they really went cold in the 4th quarter. All in all, it's been an unexpectedly good season. The good news is that most of the players that were in the last 11 games of the season will be back next year including the core, minus Onyebalu. I'd be surprised if they aren't the preseason pick for the Big West.

Ags doing well on the boards especially with the height differential. They have more rebounds than Utah after 3.

As I just discovered, BigWest TV has it. Looks like that's my best bet since it's the ESPN3 feed.

Hawaii's arena is a pretty big space, but BlueGoldAg is right about the problem for distance shooters. I still remember playing on the glass backboards at Hickey Gym, hardly a big arena, and having problems with my jump shot in comparison to the smaller ones that ran cross-court. I trust that the officials for the NIT will be better than the Big West ones, although I wonder if that will affect the Aggies who are used to refs calling a lot of ticky-tack fouls?

Nuts! I don't get ESPN3. Does anyone know if they will re-broadcast the game later on ESPNU, ESPN2 or anywhere else?

movielover: St. Mary's used to be in the Far Western Conference and even after they left it in 1928, UC Davis, played them frequently. I'm sure it had to do with prximity. That ended in the 60s, so since 1962, we've only played them 10 times, going 2-8. All time, the Aggies have only beaten the Gaels 5 times in 45 games. In December of 1969, I drove down to Moraga to see the game, which we lost. Their gym is very odd ( I think it is still the same. On one side there are seats high above the court, almost like a long balcony.) Their fight song is even odder (The Bells of St. Mary's),

The NIT must have more money this year. Lots of teams matched with opponents on the other side of the country. I guess seeding played a bigger role than in past years. Too bad, Stanford or St. Mary's would have been nice for a lot of Ag alums. Still, gotta hope Utah is so disappointed in not getting an NCAA bid that they will tank.

St. Mary's didn't make it to the NCAA. Another example of east coast bias, but that means the Aggies could wind up matched against them of Stanford or even USC, but I imagine some combination of those 4 California teams will play each other in some combination. Now I hope it's St. Mary's because they're most likely to be deflated at the snub.

BlueGold: Your sentiments reflect mine exactly.

As did eastcoast, I watched the game anyway. I think it was an odd loss. Coach LEss had told the TV guys that is the score was in the 50s, the Ags would win. I'm sure that was predicated on the way the Titans are able to hit their 3s. Allman and Ahmad are prolific scorers and the latter hit something like 56 points in their two victories over UCD earlier. If you had told me that they would be held to only 18 points between them, I would have said "Aggies win!" But no. Up by 12, I am totally confused as to why they list their mojo from about 12 minutes to go in the second half. They held the ball too long and had to rush shots and I think that put their offense totally out of rhythm. Too, they relied way too much on perimeter shooting throughout the game. TJ Shorts was not as aggressive as he usually is and, of course, they missed free throws at the end. No one thing cost them the game but the compounding of those factors. ucdavisaggie05 sent a link to the NIT and it does predict Stanford to be in it. I suppose the Ags could still draw Arizona State, but the NIT likes to match teams in the same region, so Stanford is still my prediction and hope. The Cardinal could well do what Cal did last year (losing to CSU Bakersfield) and feel so deflated by missing the NCAA that they don't show up. Ags win!

So I start to watch the delayed broadcast of the game tonight and what do I see? The end of the UCI-UCSB game in which they show that UCI will play CSU Fullerton tomorrow! What are they thinking at ESPN? SO I wAs doubly disappointed in finding out the score and knowing the Aggies lost the game. I'll probably watch it, but have nothing to add to this site except my guess that the NIT will have UC Davis matched against Stanford, who is not likely to make the NCAA. I agree with Zander, not a disappointing season given the loss of four (and with Chima, five) starters from last season. We have reason to have high hopes for next year. Go Ags!