October 26, 2026 | Men's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. – Coming off another Big West regular-season championship, the UC Irvine men's basketball team enters the 2026-27 campaign as the conference preseason favorite. The Anteaters return an experienced core and welcome new talent following a productive offseason highlighted by a 7-1 showing at the William Jones Cup in Taiwan and an exhibition victory in Montreal.
1. THE STANDARD IS SET
UC Irvine enters the 2026-27 season as the Big West preseason favorite after receiving seven first-place votes and 114 points in the conference's coaches' poll. The Anteaters are coming off a 23-12 campaign in which they captured their tenth Big West regular-season championship, third in the last four years, with a 15-5 conference record and an NIT appearance. Under 17th-year head coach Russell Turner, UCI has established itself as one of the conference's most consistent programs, winning eight Big West regular-season titles since 2014 and reaching postseason play in each of the last four seasons. The Anteaters have recorded eleven 20-win seasons during Turner's tenure, including a program-record 32 victories and an appearance in the NIT championship game in 2024-25. With expectations high once again, UCI will look to translate its regular-season success into its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.
2. BUILDING ON EXPERIENCE
UC Irvine returns a group of experienced players who will be counted on to take on expanded roles in 2026-27. Fifth-year forward Harrison Carrington headlines the returning core after averaging 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 35 appearances last season. Carrington shot 58.3 percent from the field and reached double figures in scoring 16 times. Sophomore point guard Tama Isaac started all 35 games as a freshman, leading the Anteaters with 134 assists (3.8 apg) while averaging 6.3 points. Jovan Jester Jr. also appeared in all 35 contests, averaging 6.5 points and 2.3 assists while collecting 52 steals. Fifth-year forward Elijah Chol made 17 starts and contributed 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 25 blocks in 26 appearances. Nes Emeneke provides additional size and rim protection after recording 30 blocks in his freshman campaign. Redshirt-Sophomore guard Torian Lee returns after averaging 4.1 points and shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc during the 2024-25 season, while redshirt-Junior guard Ben Egbo will be heavily relied on upon in his sophomore season, bringing 51 games of collegiate experience. With opportunities for expanded roles throughout the lineup, the Anteaters will look to their returning core to establish leadership and consistency while integrating talented newcomers into the rotation.
3. INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
The Anteaters gained valuable experience against international competition during the offseason, representing the United States at the 45th William Jones Cup in Taiwan. UC Irvine finished with a 7-1 record and earned runner-up honors, showcasing its depth and competitiveness against professional and national-team competition. The experience provided an early opportunity for the Anteaters to develop chemistry while competing on an international stage. UCI carried that momentum into October with a 101-70 exhibition victory over Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in Montreal, Canada. Five Anteaters scored in double figures, led by Josiah Johnson's 13 points and six assists. Olivier Rioux added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Tama Isaac dished out a game-high eight assists. UCI shot 51.5 percent from the field, outrebounded UQAM 52-26 and forced 19 turnovers. The two international experiences provided valuable preparation ahead of the regular season while expanding the program's global reach.
4. NATIONAL RECOGNITION
UC Irvine's success extends beyond the court, with four assistant coaches earning national recognition ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Ali Ton, Julius Smith, Nick Booker and Patrick Scully were named to Silver Waves Media's 2026 Top/Most Impactful Mid-Major Assistant Coaches list, making UCI one of the most represented programs in the country. The annual recognition highlights coaches who have made significant contributions through recruiting, player development, leadership and their overall impact on college basketball. More than 40 coaches recognized on the lists over the last four years have gone on to become head coaches. The recognition reflects the strength of Turner's staff, which has helped guide the Anteaters to three Big West regular-season championships in four years and four consecutive postseason appearances.
5. THE ROAD TO MARCH
With a target on their backs as the Big West preseason favorite, the Anteaters will look to navigate another challenging schedule in pursuit of a return to the NCAA Tournament. UC Irvine opens the regular season at the Bren Events Center against Chapman on Nov. 3 before hosting San José State and Lincoln University. The nonconference slate also features a road contest at Stanford, matchups with San Diego and Loyola Marymount in Palm Desert, a trip to Hawai'i to face the Rainbow Warriors and home games against Northern Iowa, New Mexico and Fresno State. Big West play begins Dec. 3 when the Anteaters host UC Riverside. UCI will face an expanded 12-team conference field that welcomes California Baptist, Sacramento State and Utah Valley as new members in 2026-27. The Anteaters will also make three appearances on Spectrum SportsNet during conference play, including home games against Utah Valley on Jan. 9 and Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 21. After advancing to the Big West championship game last season, UCI will look to take the next step when the conference tournament returns to Henderson, Nevada, March 10-13.
NEXT UP
UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center on Tuesday, Oct. 27, for its final exhibition tune-up against Cal State LA. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. as the Anteaters get one last opportunity to prepare for the 2026-27 regular season.
1. THE STANDARD IS SET
UC Irvine enters the 2026-27 season as the Big West preseason favorite after receiving seven first-place votes and 114 points in the conference's coaches' poll. The Anteaters are coming off a 23-12 campaign in which they captured their tenth Big West regular-season championship, third in the last four years, with a 15-5 conference record and an NIT appearance. Under 17th-year head coach Russell Turner, UCI has established itself as one of the conference's most consistent programs, winning eight Big West regular-season titles since 2014 and reaching postseason play in each of the last four seasons. The Anteaters have recorded eleven 20-win seasons during Turner's tenure, including a program-record 32 victories and an appearance in the NIT championship game in 2024-25. With expectations high once again, UCI will look to translate its regular-season success into its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.
2. BUILDING ON EXPERIENCE
UC Irvine returns a group of experienced players who will be counted on to take on expanded roles in 2026-27. Fifth-year forward Harrison Carrington headlines the returning core after averaging 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 35 appearances last season. Carrington shot 58.3 percent from the field and reached double figures in scoring 16 times. Sophomore point guard Tama Isaac started all 35 games as a freshman, leading the Anteaters with 134 assists (3.8 apg) while averaging 6.3 points. Jovan Jester Jr. also appeared in all 35 contests, averaging 6.5 points and 2.3 assists while collecting 52 steals. Fifth-year forward Elijah Chol made 17 starts and contributed 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 25 blocks in 26 appearances. Nes Emeneke provides additional size and rim protection after recording 30 blocks in his freshman campaign. Redshirt-Sophomore guard Torian Lee returns after averaging 4.1 points and shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc during the 2024-25 season, while redshirt-Junior guard Ben Egbo will be heavily relied on upon in his sophomore season, bringing 51 games of collegiate experience. With opportunities for expanded roles throughout the lineup, the Anteaters will look to their returning core to establish leadership and consistency while integrating talented newcomers into the rotation.
3. INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
The Anteaters gained valuable experience against international competition during the offseason, representing the United States at the 45th William Jones Cup in Taiwan. UC Irvine finished with a 7-1 record and earned runner-up honors, showcasing its depth and competitiveness against professional and national-team competition. The experience provided an early opportunity for the Anteaters to develop chemistry while competing on an international stage. UCI carried that momentum into October with a 101-70 exhibition victory over Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in Montreal, Canada. Five Anteaters scored in double figures, led by Josiah Johnson's 13 points and six assists. Olivier Rioux added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Tama Isaac dished out a game-high eight assists. UCI shot 51.5 percent from the field, outrebounded UQAM 52-26 and forced 19 turnovers. The two international experiences provided valuable preparation ahead of the regular season while expanding the program's global reach.
4. NATIONAL RECOGNITION
UC Irvine's success extends beyond the court, with four assistant coaches earning national recognition ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Ali Ton, Julius Smith, Nick Booker and Patrick Scully were named to Silver Waves Media's 2026 Top/Most Impactful Mid-Major Assistant Coaches list, making UCI one of the most represented programs in the country. The annual recognition highlights coaches who have made significant contributions through recruiting, player development, leadership and their overall impact on college basketball. More than 40 coaches recognized on the lists over the last four years have gone on to become head coaches. The recognition reflects the strength of Turner's staff, which has helped guide the Anteaters to three Big West regular-season championships in four years and four consecutive postseason appearances.
5. THE ROAD TO MARCH
With a target on their backs as the Big West preseason favorite, the Anteaters will look to navigate another challenging schedule in pursuit of a return to the NCAA Tournament. UC Irvine opens the regular season at the Bren Events Center against Chapman on Nov. 3 before hosting San José State and Lincoln University. The nonconference slate also features a road contest at Stanford, matchups with San Diego and Loyola Marymount in Palm Desert, a trip to Hawai'i to face the Rainbow Warriors and home games against Northern Iowa, New Mexico and Fresno State. Big West play begins Dec. 3 when the Anteaters host UC Riverside. UCI will face an expanded 12-team conference field that welcomes California Baptist, Sacramento State and Utah Valley as new members in 2026-27. The Anteaters will also make three appearances on Spectrum SportsNet during conference play, including home games against Utah Valley on Jan. 9 and Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 21. After advancing to the Big West championship game last season, UCI will look to take the next step when the conference tournament returns to Henderson, Nevada, March 10-13.
NEXT UP
UC Irvine returns to the Bren Events Center on Tuesday, Oct. 27, for its final exhibition tune-up against Cal State LA. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. as the Anteaters get one last opportunity to prepare for the 2026-27 regular season.
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