
The UC Davis Aggies men's basketball team represents the University of California, Davis. The Aggies compete in the Big West Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The team is currently led by head coach Jim Les, who is in his 14th season with the team. In 2017, Les led the Aggies to their first Big West championship and their first NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Tournament appearance. Prior to becoming a Division I program in 2007, UC Davis found success in Division II, winning the NCAA Division II national championship in 1998.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | UC Davis Aggies |
| School | University of California, Davis |
| Division | I |
| Conference | Big West |
| Team Colors | Yale Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Mustang named Gunrock |
| Home Stadium | University Credit Union Center |
| Student Section | Aggie Pack |
| Head Coach | Jim Les |
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What You'll Learn

The UC Davis Aggies men's basketball team has been Division I since 2007
Before becoming Division I, UC Davis won an NCAA Division II national championship in 1998. They also won Division II championships in softball, men's tennis, and women's tennis. The transition to Division I was a four-year process, with the official announcement made in March 2003. During this transition, the Aggies men's basketball team achieved notable wins against Stanford in both football and basketball in the 2005-06 season.
Since becoming Division I, the UC Davis men's basketball team has continued to find success. They earned their first Big West championship and first NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Tournament appearance in 2017. This marked their 13th overall NCAA postseason appearance, including their time in Division II. The team is currently led by head coach Jim Les, who is in his 14th season during the 2024-25 season.
The UC Davis Aggies have a rich athletic history and a passionate fan base, with students gathering at sporting events as the Aggie Pack, the largest student-run school spirit organization in the United States. The team's official colours are blue and gold, with blue being referred to as "Yale Blue" or "Aggie Blue" due to the university's early connection to Yale University.
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They won an NCAA Division II national championship in 1998
The UC Davis Aggies men's basketball team represents the University of California, Davis. The team currently competes in Division I, as part of the Big West Conference. However, they were previously a part of Division II, where they enjoyed notable success. Indeed, in 1998, the UC Davis men's basketball team won the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship. This victory was particularly impressive given that UC Davis was one of the few non-scholarship institutions in Division II at the time.
The 1998 national championship was a significant achievement for the UC Davis Aggies men's basketball team and marked the pinnacle of their success in Division II. The team had previously finished first in NCAA Division II six times in 2003 and won the NACDA Director's Cup four years in a row from 1999 to 2003. However, the 1998 national championship stood out as their most prestigious accomplishment.
The UC Davis Aggies have a rich history in intercollegiate athletics, with the team name derived from the school's agricultural heritage. The students at UC Davis often gather at sporting events to rally as the Aggie Pack, showcasing their school spirit and supporting their fellow athletes. This sense of community and pride is further enhanced by the presence of the UC Davis Marching Band, adding to the excitement of game days.
The transition from Division II to Division I marked a new chapter in the history of UC Davis Aggies basketball. In 2003, following a vote by the students and heavy discussions by campus administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community, UCD chancellor Larry Vanderhoef officially announced the university's move to Division I. This transition was a gradual process, with the men's basketball team continuing to excel in Division II until their official move to Division I in 2007.
Since becoming a full-fledged Division I program, the UC Davis men's basketball team has continued to achieve success. They earned their first Big West championship and their first NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Tournament appearance in 2017. The team has also produced standout players who have garnered individual awards, such as Big West Conference Freshman of the Year and Big West Conference Coach of the Year.
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The Aggies compete in the Big West Conference
The UC Davis Aggies are the athletic teams that represent the University of California, Davis. The Aggies compete in the Big West Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. The UC Davis men's basketball team won the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship in 1998. Following this success, the team transitioned to Division I in 2003-04, officially competing as a member of the Big West Conference in 2007-08.
The Aggies have had much success in the Big West Conference, with the men's basketball team earning its first Big West championship and first NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Tournament appearance in 2017. This marked the thirteenth overall NCAA postseason appearance for the team, including its time in Division II. The Aggies' success in the Big West Conference is not limited to just the men's basketball team. The UC Davis women's basketball team has also thrived in the conference, with the 2022-23 season marking head coach Jim Les' 12th with the program. During his tenure, the women's basketball team has achieved notable success, including multiple conference awards.
The Aggies' presence in the Big West Conference extends beyond just basketball. In total, 18 of the school's 25 intercollegiate sports compete in the conference. These sports include baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's soccer, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, softball, women's beach volleyball, women's golf, women's soccer, women's volleyball, and women's water polo. The Aggies have a strong athletic tradition, with the school's teams collectively winning 72 individual championships at the NCAA Division II level.
The Aggies' school colours are blue and gold, with the blue officially referred to as "Aggie Blue" or "Yale Blue", reflecting the university's early connection to Yale University. The school's mascot is a mustang named Gunrock, a name that dates back to 1921 when the US Army brought a horse named Gun Rock to UC Davis. The Aggies' teams are supported by the Aggie Pack, the largest student-run school spirit organization in the United States, which rallies students at sporting events to cheer on their teams.
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The team is led by head coach Jim Les
The UC Davis Aggies men's basketball team is led by head coach Jim Les. Les is an experienced coach who has been with the UC Davis programme for over a decade. He is currently in his 14th season as head coach, having joined in 2011. During his time with the Aggies, Les has led the team to numerous successes, including their first Big West Conference championship and their first NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Tournament appearance in 2017. This marked the team's 13th overall NCAA postseason appearance, including its time in Division II.
Les has been recognised for his outstanding coaching, winning the Big West Conference Coach of the Year award twice, in the 2017-18 and 2014-15 seasons. He has also overseen the development of award-winning players, such as Ezra Manjon, Josh Ritchart, Julian Welch, and Mark Payne, who have excelled under his guidance and earned individual accolades.
Prior to joining UC Davis, Les had a successful playing career. He played college basketball at Cleveland State University, where he became the school's all-time leader in assists and steals. He then went on to play professionally in the NBA for teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks.
Les' coaching philosophy emphasizes a strong work ethic, discipline, and a team-first mentality. He is known for his ability to develop young players and instill a winning culture within the programme. Under his leadership, the UC Davis Aggies have continued to improve and establish themselves as a competitive force in the Big West Conference and Division I basketball.
Les is supported by a dedicated coaching staff, including associate head coach Kevin Nosek and assistant coaches Jonathan Metzger-Jones and Kyle Vogt. Together, they have worked to build a strong foundation for the team's success, both on and off the court.
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The Aggies' football team competes in Division I FCS
The UC Davis Aggies football team competes in Division I FCS, also known as Division I Football Championship Subdivision. This division is for schools that have strong football programs and compete at a high level. The Aggies' football team has seen success in this division, including a notable victory over the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium in 2005. This win was significant as it contributed to the Aggies' overall win-loss record of 5-1 against Stanford for the 2005-06 season.
The Aggies' football team is part of the University of California, Davis's athletic teams, known as the Aggies. The football team competes in the Big Sky Conference, which is separate from the other UC Davis sports teams that compete in the Big West Conference. This distinction makes UC Davis one of only three UC campuses to field a football team, with the other two being Cal and UCLA.
UC Davis has a strong athletic history, with 18 out of 25 intercollegiate sports competing in the Big West Conference. The Aggies have experienced success across various sports, including basketball, baseball, and soccer. The men's basketball team, in particular, has achieved notable accomplishments, including winning the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship in 1998 and earning their first NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament appearance in 2017.
The transition to Division I for UC Davis athletics began in 2003, following a vote by the students to elevate the athletics program. This transition took several years, and the official move to Division I was announced by Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef in March 2003. The Aggies have since established themselves in Division I, with the football team competing in the Football Championship Subdivision and other sports teams in the Big West Conference.
The Aggies' football team continues to represent UC Davis in the Division I FCS, striving for success and building on their athletic achievements. Their presence in this division showcases the university's commitment to fostering a competitive and prominent athletic program.
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Frequently asked questions
UC Davis basketball is in Division I.
UC Davis basketball moved to Division I in 2007.
UC Davis basketball plays in the Big West Conference.
UC Davis basketball has won one NCAA Division II championship in 1998.
The school colours of UC Davis are blue and gold.








































