IRVINE, Calif. - Coming off a record-setting season, the UC Irvine men's basketball team is ready to hit the ground running with a challenging 2019-20 schedule.

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"We are pleased to announce a challenging and exciting schedule for our 2019-20 season," said head coach Russell Turner. "There is nice mix of quality home game opponents, local rivalries, power conference matchups, and two-game tournaments to great basketball destinations. While this schedule will be one of the more difficult we have played, we are certain to be challenged and prepared for the beginning of Big West play."

UCI's non-conference schedule is dotted with teams from the Pac-12, Big 12 and WCC. The Anteaters will also compete in two mid-season tournaments including the MGM Grand Event in Las Vegas and the Sun Bowl Invitational in El Paso, Texas.

Before things get officially rolling, UCI will play a home exhibition against soon-to-be Big West opponent UC San Diego. The Tritons are coming off a 26-win season and an appearance in the Division II NCAA West Regional.

LOCAL RIVALS
The Anteaters open the season with two road stints against local West Coast Conference opponents, San Diego and Pepperdine. The Toreros finished last season 21-15 with an appearance in the NIT. The Waves advanced to the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Championships last season before falling to Gonzaga. UCI was 2-1 against the WCC last season.

HOME AND AWAY SERIES
The 'Eaters added two home-and-away series against Boise State and Harvard. This season, UCI will travel to Idaho Nov. 15 and Boston Jan. 4, followed by the Crimson making the trip to the Bren next year and the Broncos in 2020-21.

"It is exciting to be able to look forward to home games against perennial mid-major winners in Boise St. and Harvard," noted Turner.

POWER CONFERENCE MATCHUPS
UCI will face an early road test against Colorado Nov. 18. The Buffaloes are coming off a 23-win season that saw them advance to the quarterfinals of the NIT. The road does not get easier as UCI then travels to Texas to take on Big 12 opponent TCU on Nov. 21. The Horned Frogs made an appearance in the NIT semifinals before falling to Texas and finished the season 23-14. The 'Eaters will be looking for their first-ever wins against CU and TCU.

MID-SEASON TOURNAMENTS
UCI plays in its first two-game tournament before Thanksgiving at the MGM Main Event in Las Vegas. The 'Eaters play games Nov. 24 and Nov. 26. The complete tournament field will be announced shortly.

In December, the 'Eaters travel to El Paso to play two games in two days at the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational (Dec. 16-17). The tournament field includes Kent State, North Carolina A&T and UTEP. The 'Eaters last won the Sun Bowl Invitational in 2015.

DEFEND THE BREN
Fans will get plenty of chances to see the 'Eaters defend the Bren as they play 14 games at home, including eight Saturday competitions. UCI's home opener takes place on Nov. 12 against Life Pacific.

After defeating both teams on the road last season, UCI welcomes Eastern Michigan and Cal Baptist to the Bren Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, respectively.

The 'Eaters play Pacific Union for the first time in program history on Dec. 14. UCI caps 2019 and its non-conference home schedule with a game against long-standing rival Pacific on Dec. 28.

During Big West season, UCI plays Saturday home games against Hawaii (Jan. 11), UC Riverside (Jan. 18), Cal Poly (Jan. 25), Cal State Fullerton (Feb. 1) and UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 29).

"We are especially hopeful that our eight Saturday home games will generate outstanding community and fan support for our players," said Turner.
 
HOLIDAY TREAT
Before the holiday break, UCI travels to Chicago to play Illinois-Chicago Dec. 20. The Flames went 16-16 last season.

BIG WEST TOURNAMENT
The Big West season starts at home against Hawaii on Jan. 11. The Black-and-Blue Rivalry against Long Beach State returns to the Bren on Feb. 19. UCI caps its regular season with two-straight home games against UC Santa Barbara (Feb.29) and CSUN (Mar. 4). The always exciting Big West Tournament runs March 12-14 at the Honda Center.

"I commend our staff for working hard to put this high quality schedule together in a climate where our sustained success has made scheduling very difficult. We are all very much looking forward to what's to come for the Anteaters in 2019-20," remarked Turner.
 
Scheduling Notes
NIT Teams: Colorado, TCU, San Diego, Harvard
CBI Teams: CBU
CIT Teams: Cal State Fullerton
DI 20+ Win Teams: Colorado, TCU, San Diego, UC Santa Barbara
First Meetings: Pacific Union

UC Irvine Men's Basketball is accepting deposits for 2019-20 season tickets. Season tickets offer fans the best value along with exclusive perks.

Season Ticket Benefits

• Invitation to special events
• Exclusive offers, discounts and experiences
• Season ticket holder gift
• Personalized friends & family single game discount code
• Minimum 30% savings off single game price
• Same seat all season long
• Priority access to the best seating locations
• Earn priority points used to determine seat upgrades, postseason ticket access and other exclusive opportunities