Because the Big West men’s and women’s tournaments are held concurrently in the 5,567-seat facility that is home to a minor-league hockey team, the top-seeded Tritons were allowed only a 25-minute session Friday morning for an abbreviated shootaround to acclimate to dark backdrop and castle turrets behind one basket.

Playing in their first Division I postseason, the Tritons, with their victory over third-seeded UC Davis, claimed their first tournament title, in their first try, since becoming postseason eligible after joining the Big West.

College men’s basketball might see this year’s Cinderella story in UC San Diego if it takes home the win against Michigan.