IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine has been chosen for another ESPNU wildcard game when the Anteaters face-off against UC Santa Barbara February 28 at 7:30 p.m. from the Bren Events Center. Note the time change to 7:30 p.m.

The rematch of Saturday's contest is the third nationally televised game for UC Irvine who shares the top of the Big West standings with a 9-3 record.

The Anteaters, who entered the weekend ranked No. 13 in the Feb. 2 edition of the College Insider Mid-Major Madness Top 25, are one of the top defensive teams in the nation. Nationally, UC Irvine ranks third in blocks per game (6.1), fourth in field goal percentage defense (37.8) and eighth in defensive rebounds per game (28.71). 

Senior forward Kyle Evans is nation's leader in blocks with 81 total on the season and an average of 3.38 per game. Evans also contributes 12.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per outing. Sophomore guard Jurian Dixon, the reigning Big West Freshman of the Year, leads UC Irvine in scoring at 15.4 points per game followed by redshirt sophomore guard Derin Saran at 11.2 points oer outing.