IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine men's basketball team is set to play in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic hosted at the Orleans Arena on Nov. 25-26. The tournament field consists of New Mexico State, Nicholls State, San Diego, and UC Irvine.
 
About Nicholls State
Nicholls State went 21-12 overall, 11-3 in conference during the 2021-22 season. The Colonels won the Southland conference regular season title and earned a bid to the NIT. Nicholls State ended their season in the first round of the postseason tournament, dropping 68-58 to SMU.

UC Irvine and Nicholls State have not met in program history.
 
About New Mexico State
The Aggies completed the year with a 27-7 overall, 14-4 conference record. New Mexico State won both the WAC regular season and WAC conference championship tournament titles. Advancing to the NCAA March Madness tournament, the Aggies defeated No. 21/21 UCONN 70-63 in the first round before falling to No. 17/18 Arkansas 53-48 the following contest.

UC Irvine and New Mexico State last meet in the 2021-22 season opener in Las Cruces.
 
About San Diego
San Diego finished with a 15-16 overall, 7-9 conference record in 2021-22. The Toreros defeated Pepperdine in the first round of the WCC championship tournament 74-67. San Diego completed their season in the second round dropping 73-55 to Portland.

UC Irvine and San Diego last met in the 2020-21 season at the Bren where the Anteaters won 85-53.