UC Irvine (10-6, 6-2) at UC Riverside (8-4, 4-2)
Friday, Feb. 12 | 4 p.m. PT
Student Recreation Center | Riverside, Calif.
AM 830 & KUCI Radio | Live Stats | Watch –BigWest.TV

UC Irvine (10-6, 6-2) at UC Riverside (8-4, 4-2)
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 9 p.m. PT
Student Recreation Center | Riverside, Calif.  
AM830& KUCI Radio | Live Stats | Watch –ESPNU

Game Notes
 
UC Irvine heads to Riverside for two road Big West games against UC Riverside. UCI will play at UCR Friday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m. on BigWest.TV. Saturday's game with the Highlanders will tip at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

OPENING TIPS
> The Anteaters are tied for first with UC Santa Barbara in Big West Standings with a 6-2 conference record. However, UCI won both games against UCSB earlier this season so wins the head-to-head competition. The Anteaters split their last two Big West series, at Hawaii and home against CSU Bakersfield. Before the splits, UCI was riding a seven-game winning streak that dated back to Dec. 17.
> Since 2012-13, UCI is 110-7 when holding opponents to 60 points or less, including 8-1 this season
> The 'Eaters top the conference in rebounds per game (39.12), steals per game (7.8) and blocks per game (3.3). UCI is second in the BWC in scoring defense (61.1 ppg), behind UCR (59.8 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.387).
CAREER RECORD WATCH
> Brad Greene became the 15^th Anteater in history to reach 600 career rebounds last weekend against CSU Bakersfield. He now sits at 610 career boards which puts him at 15th all-time. Greene has 712 career points and this season he is averaging 10.9 points per game. He had a career-high 20 points in UCI's season-opener against Pepperdine
> Collin Welp is 57 points away from reaching 1,000 career points. The junior currently sits at 943 points. He had a season-high 20 points at Hawaii (Jan. 30)
> UCI's returning leading scorer Collin Welp scored in double-digits in 7-out-of-8 Big West games. Welp is first on the team averaging 13.0 ppg overall and 14.6 in BWC games. He also notched a career-high 19 rebounds at LMU and averages 6.6 rebounds per game
> Freshman Dawson Baker has had a strong start for UCI, finishing in double-digit scoring nine-out-of-14 games he has played in. He is second on the team averaging 10.9 ppg and set a career-high 21 points against La Sierra. He also led the 'Eaters in scoring against USC (17 points). He tops all Big West freshmen in scoring
> UCI has outrebounded 11-of-16 opponents and has a +8.6 rebound margin through 16 games. The 'Eaters rank 12^th in the nation in rebound margin
> Head coach Russell Turner ranks sixth all-time on the Big West coaching wins list with 219. This season, he surpassed LBSU's Dan Monson (214). Turner is one of seven BW head coaches with 200 or more wins
> 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).
> 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. Since 2013-14, Russell Turner's program is 88-24 (.786) in Big West play.
> UCI's non-conference schedule was ranked as the 15^th hardest in the country by KenPom
> Since 2012-13, UCI is 95-22 overall and 59-12 against Big West opponents at home. The 'Eaters are currently 8-1 at the Bren this season

With a win Friday … UCI would win 14 straight against UCR … Remain atop the Big West standings

GREENE SELECTED AS CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Senior Brad Greene was named one of 30 candidates for the 2020-21 Senior CLASS Award. Greene is the first UCI player to be recognized for the prestigious award. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as a Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

 'EATERS SPLIT WITH ROADRUNNERS
> UCI split a home series with CSUB last weekend. The Roadrunners handed the 'Eaters their first loss at home all season. UCI won the first game, 70-53, before falling, 62-57, on the second night
> In game one, all 13 players that saw action scored for UCI as Collin Welp led the way with 16 points and a career high four blocks. Dawson Baker added 11 points while Brad Greene had eight rebounds, putting him over 700 career boards. UCI led from the start and locked down on defense, holding the 'Runners to 39.3 percent shooting from the field
>  UCI dropped game two, Welp led the team with 14 points and eight rebounds while Baker added nine. CSUB held a 37-31 advantage in rebounds

ABOUT THE HIGHLANDERS
> UCR is tied for third place in the Big West standings with a 4-2 record. The Highlanders are 8-4 on the season
> UCR has three players averaging double-digit scoring including Arinze Chidom (13.0 ppg), Jock Perry (11.9 ppg) and Zyon Pullin (11.3 ppg). Pullin leads the team with 6.2 rpg
> UCR tops the Big West and is third in the country in FG percentage defense (.373) and is 7^th nationally in scoring defense (59.8)
> Mike Magpayo is in his first season as head coach of UCR

UP NEXT
> UCI travels to Cal State Fullerton for a two-game series Feb. 19-20. Game times are set for 5 p.m.