IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine men's basketball enters back into the national purview after gaining national recognition from several media outlets on Monday.
 
The Anteaters enter back into the top three of the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll for the first time since the December 9, 2024 release of the rankings. UCI sits behind top-ranked and No. 16 Gonzaga who received all 31 first place votes (775 total) and Saint Mary's who earned 737 points.  
 
For the third time this season, UC Irvine received votes in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. The Anteaters earned two votes in the AP publication and one vote in USA Today's ballot.

The 'Eaters, who are 15-2 on the season, improved to 5-0 in the Big West to remain the last unbeaten team in the conference for the third straight season. UCI is one of 44 teams in the nation who have yet to be beat in league play and one of 11 of the unbeaten who have five or more conference wins.
 
UC Irvine makes the return to the Bren Events Center for a two-game homestand, taking on Orange County foe Cal State Fullerton (Jan. 16) and closing out the series with Cal Poly (Jan. 18). Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.