Preview: Cal State Northridge Matadors at UC Santa Barbara Gauchos SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Interstat) — A pivotal Big West Conference men’s basketball clash is set for Thursday night when the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos host the Cal State Northridge Matadors at the Thunderdome. Both teams enter the contest with winning momentum in conference play, making the matchup critical for postseason seeding. The Gauchos (17-9 overall) hold a slight edge in the standings over the Matadors (16-10). UC Santa Barbara boasts a strong 10-2 record at home this season, while Cal State Northridge has proven capable on the road. The Matadors have won five of their last six games, including a dominant 84-60 victory over Hawaii on Feb. 14. They are led by high-scoring guard Larry Hughes, who is averaging 22.2 points over his last five contests. Hughes erupted for 32 points in a narrow road win at Cal Poly on Feb. 5 and scored 27 in the recent win over Hawaii. UC Santa Barbara looks to bounce back after an 89-79 road loss at Cal Poly on Saturday. Before that, the Gauchos had won four straight. Guard Colin Smith has been a consistent contributor, scoring in double figures in seven of the last eight games, including a 17-point, 3-assist performance in the loss to Cal Poly. The teams met earlier this season in Northridge, with the Matadors securing a 74-65 victory on Jan. 3. Cal State Northridge has won three of its last four road games. For UC Santa Barbara, balance has been key. In their last home game, a 107-67 rout of Cal Poly on Jan. 22, four players scored in double figures. Aidan Mahaney and Zion Sensley each added 21 points in the team’s most recent outing, providing scoring support alongside Smith. The game will feature two of the conference’s top offensive units, setting the stage for a fast-paced contest with significant implications for the Big West tournament bracket. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST at the Thunderdome on the UC Santa Barbara campus.