UC San Diego’s Tyler McGhie Sparks Hope for March Madness Upset

DENVER — UC San Diego is set to make history on Thursday night as they compete in their first Division I NCAA Tournament game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ball Arena. With a remarkable 30-4 record and a 15-game winning streak, the Tritons are fueled by the prolific scoring of Tyler McGhie, whose sharpshooting will be critical in their upset bid against the No. 5 seed Wolverines.

As the Tritons advance to the big stage, fifth-year senior McGhie has emerged as a pivotal player, having earned All-Big West honors this season after being named the Big West Sixth Man of the Year last year. McGhie is known for his ability to hit three-pointers, ranking fifth in the nation for attempts and shooting an impressive 38.6 percent from beyond the arc this season. “We’re not going to back down from any team, no matter their size,” McGhie said, recognizing the challenge posed by Michigan’s towering lineup.

UC San Diego’s journey to March Madness has been nothing short of impressive, having transitioned from Division II just five years ago. “This is a dream come true, and we want to make the most of our opportunity,” said head coach Eric Olen. Under his guidance, the Tritons have built a competitive team utilizing the transfer portal and retaining core players from last season. Their impressive performance in the Big West tournament, clinched with a victory over UC Irvine, has positioned them as underdog contenders in the tournament.

Besides McGhie, the Tritons have a well-rounded roster led by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, who averages 19.5 points per game, and defensive star Hayden Gray, the Big West Defensive Player of the Year. Despite facing an experienced Michigan team with players like Vladislav Goldin, who leads the Wolverines in scoring, the Tritons are driven by a mentality of proving themselves. “We’ve been overlooked a lot this season. We see that as motivation,” Gray remarked.

Michigan, making its 32nd tournament appearance, finds itself facing a team that has been consistent throughout the season. Led by coach Dusty May, who took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four two years ago, the Wolverines have been formidable opponents, with a roster filled with high-profile transfers. Yet the Tritons have an edge in their recent success, outscoring opponents by an average of 15 points during their winning streak and standing fourth nationally in steal percentage.

“We’re playing with house money,” Gray said, characterizing the Tritons’ mindset as they prepare to face the Wolverines. UCSD’s players aren’t fazed by their lack of size and are undeterred by the challenge ahead. “It doesn’t matter who we’re matched up against, we’ll continue to compete,” said McGhie, reflecting the Tritons’ underdog spirit.

The Tritons’ resilience and scoring efficiency may allow them to upset a higher-seeded power, as they collectively approach the tournament’s challenges with determination. As the spotlight of March Madness shines upon them, all eyes will be on Tyler McGhie and the UC San Diego Tritons to see if they can carve their name into the history books.