'Eaters Meet Trojans in Non-Conference Tilt
UC Irvine (2-2) at USC (3-1)
Tuesday, Dec. 8 | 7 p.m.
Galen Center Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
AM 830 & KUCI Radio | Live Stats | Watch – Pac 12 Networks

Game Notes
 
UC Irvine will travel to Los Angeles for a non-conference game at USC Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. The game will air on the Pac-12 Networks with Ted Robinson and Bill Walton calling the action.

OPENING TIPS
> The Anteaters opened the season with a 2-2 record. UCI dropped games against Pepperdine and San Diego State at the SDSU MTE before earning a record-setting 135-55 win over Bethesda and a 104-54 win against La Sierra at home.
> The last time UCI and USC met was on Dec. 20, 2012 in Los Angeles. The Anteaters won a 61-54 decision against the Trojans. UCI is 1-1 against USC in the Russell Turner era. Assistant coaches Micheal Wilder and Alex Young both helped UCI to the win against the Trojans in 2012. 
> UCI's returning leading scorer Collin Welp started 2020-21 where he left off, the junior is only Anteater to score in double-digits in all four games so far. He is averaging 11.8 ppg.
> Brad Greene became the 24^th Anteater in history to reach 500 career rebounds after finishing with eight at SDSU. He now sits at 515 career boards which puts him at 23^rd all-time, surpassing now assistant coach Alex Young (504)
> Greene led the 'Eaters in scoring in the first two games (against Pepperdine and SDSU), grabbing a career-high 20 points against Pepperdine and following that up with 11 points at SDSU. He is averaging a team-best 12.3 ppg.
> Dawson Baker has had a strong start for UCI, finishing in double-digit scoring in his first two games, with 13 points vs. Pepperdine and 10 points at SDSU. He set a career-high 21 points against La Sierra and is averaging 11.5 ppg
> UCI has outrebounded it's last three opponents (SDSU, Bethesda and La Sierra) and has a +17.3 rebound margin through four games
> Last season, the Anteaters won their fifth Big West regular season title in seven seasons and eighth in program history. It was also the first time in history UCI won back-to-back outright titles. The 'Eaters did so with a 13-3 conference record, winning three more games than second place UCSB.
> The 2020-21 Anteaters have the second youngest team (Navy is first with 19 underclassman) in the NCAA with 13 underclassman and just two upperclassman. UCI is also tied with Auburn for the least number of upperclassman on the roster (2).
> Sophomore Austin Johnson and RS freshman Emmanuel Tshimanga both posted their first career double-doubles against Bethesda. Johnson finished the night with a game-high 20 points and career-high 16 rebounds while Tshimanga grabbed 12 points and 11 rebounds. Johnson leads the team in rebounding (7.8 rpg).
> The 'Eaters win over Bethesda set school records for most points scored (135), field goals made (56) and assists (31). UCI's 80-point margin of victory set a school and Big West record. The 'Eaters also set Bren Events Center records in first half points scored (70) and field goal percentage (.691)

With a win Tuesday … UCI will win its second-straight game against USC and improve to 3-6 in the all-time series … Earn its first D1 win of the season … Earn its first win against a Pac-12 team since 2013 when the 'Eaters defeated Washington  

'EATERS HIT CENTURY MARK IN WIN OVER LA SIERRA
> UCI reached 100 points in back-to-back games with wins over Bethesda (135-55) and La Sierra (104-54)
> Freshmen Dawson Baker and Andre Henry both had their first career starts. Baker finished with a career-high 21 points
> Baker's 21 points is the most scored by an Anteater this season

ABOUT THE TROJANS
> USC is 3-1 on the season and coming off a 61-58 loss to UConn at the Legends Classic. The Trojans earned wins over Cal Baptist, Montana and BYU
> USC was picked to finish sixth in the Pac 12 preseason poll
> Evan Mobley (16.5 ppg), Drew Peterson (13.3 ppg) and Tahj Eaddy (10.8 ppg) are all averaging double-digit scoring
> Isaiah Mobley leads USC in rebounding (10.0 ppg)
> UCI freshman Jayce Catchings played with the Mobley brothers in high school