Tritons

UC San Diego Tritons

General Information

Founded: 1965
Conference: Big West Conference
Past Conferences: NA
Arena: RIMAC Arena
City: La Jolla, California

Championships and Titles

Past Conferences:

Team History

As one of the newest programs in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, the UC San Diego Tritons have yet to build a history here. Currently (2023), the program has not qualified for any NCAA Tournaments and remains a sizable underdog on the NCAAB odds.

However, the Tritons built an extensive record playing in Division II and Division III. UC San Diego broke through in the late 1980s under Tom Marshall. The team recorded its first 20-win season in D-III and made it to the 2nd round of the D-III Tournament.

It would go on to have several more 20+ win seasons and some D-III Tournament runs until Marshall’s departure in 1994. Greg Lanthier replaced Marshall as the Tritons went up to Division II in 2000 and joined the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).

The Tritons struggled mightily and Lanthier was let go after winning just 25 percent of their games (26 percent of conference games). Bill Carr briefly took over and the program finally tasted postseason basketball with Chris Carlson in 2007-08, his first season with the team.

After more mixed results in the following seasons, Eric Olen joined the team as head coach where he currently still is. The new coach turned the program around and guided it back to a winning season in just his first year. He improved the UC San Diego Tritons’ team stats considerably.

In his second season, 2014-15, the Tritons returned to the CCAA tournament. In the next year, the Tritons went to four straight D-II Tournaments on the strength of four consecutive 20+ win seasons. Olen compiled a 70.1 regular-season winning percentage with the Tritons (5-5 in the D-II Tournament). It also included a total of eight conference championships (three for the regular season and five for the tournament).

The Tritons’ consistent success as a D-II program got them invited to the Big West of NCAA Division I in 2020. Presently, the program is still finding its legs. Players like Bryce Pope and Jace Roquemore lead the Tritons’ team stats and figure to be pioneers of this program. But fans will have to wait until the Tritons can challenge for the Big West title and participate in March Madness.

All-Time UC San Diego Tritons Records*

Points Scored

Bryce Pope: 944
Francis Nwaokorie: 648
Toni Rocak: 629

Rebounds

Francis Nwaokorie: 342
Toni Rocak: 266
Jace Roquemore: 222

Assists

Jace Roquemore: 204
Mikey Howell: 96
Roddie Anderson: 94

* – ongoing as of the end of 2022-23

FAQs

Does UC San Diego play in Division I?

The UC San Diego Tritons have recently started playing in NCAA Division I men’s basketball (2020). They play in the Big West conference and have yet to qualify for the NCAA Tournament as of 2023.

What conference is UC San Diego in?

UC San Diego plays in the Big West conference. It has a 16-34 record in the conference since the 2020-21 season.

What is the UC San Diego Tritons’ D-II record?

The Tritons were one of the best Division II schools. It appeared in four D-II tournaments and compiled a 738-691 (51.6 percent) record from 2000 to 2019.