SDUT: Hot UCSD Hoops Lives in the Moment

In a perfect college-basketball world, UC San Diego would be chewing fingernails to the quick about a shot at playing under the mammoth lights of the NCAA Tournament.

The Tritons are tied with UC Irvine for the regular-season lead in the Big West Conference, sit one win away from 20 victories and are considered one of the top mid-majors in America — currently ranked No. 23 in that exact poll — as March arrives.