Anteaters eyeing third straight win
Steve Virgen
UC Irvine’s matchup with Pomona-Pitzer is obviously not about
Ratings Percentage Index points, the system that aids in determining
NCAA Tournament teams in men’s college basketball.
However, it hardly matters who the Anteaters face tonight at 7 at
the Bren Events Center. Tonight’s game is mainly about the Anteaters
displaying their identity of an inside presence combined with
productive perimeter shooting, which should also prepare them for
their next game, at No. 17 Stanford Dec. 19.
UCI (2-2) used its inside-outside method to collect an 81-66
victory over visiting Loyola Marymount Wednesday night, as 7-foot
junior center Adam Parada scored a career-high 28 points, while
junior forward Stanislav Zuzak and freshman reserve guard Ross
Schraeder hit two three-pointers each.
“It’s like any game, in that we’re focusing on improving our
team,” Douglass said of facing Pomona-Pitzer, a NCAA Division III
program. “This is another opportunity to continue improvement and
keep learning. (Against LMU) we acquired our identity. It is a
different style from last year when we were a little more perimeter
oriented. I think the kids are adjusting offensively. We’re also
working on defense and the transition game. Even though we’re big we
feel we can run the ball and get out on the fast break. I also think
that Jeff Gloger is starting to look more and more like a point
guard.”
Gloger, a redshirt freshman, has put together solid performances
the past two games which he has started, Douglass said. Gloger is
joined by senior Mike Hood in the backcourt, while Parada leads a
frontcourt with Zuzak and senior Jordan Harris, with junior Matt
Okoro and sophomore Greg Ethington in supporting roles.
Against LMU, junior guard Aras Baskauskas contributed solid
defense and also dished out an assist on one of Schraeder’s
three-pointers. Baskauskas, along with the rest of the guards, have
also improved on ball handling the past two games, Douglass said.
After UCI’s 87-65 loss to then-No. 7 Oklahoma in the Sooner
Invitational, following opponents learned to pressure the Anteater
guards. But, Douglass said there have been improvements.
“We handled the press against Pepperdine,” Douglass said. “Our
perimeter players need to continue to knock down shots, too. I also
think if you zone us, that might not work, because we’re a good
outside shooting team. We have a good mix of inside and out.”
The Sagehens (1-3) will attempt to counter UCI’s attack tonight
with 6-foot-6 freshman Edward Beron-Wexler, who is leading the team
with 11.8 points per game, and 6-6 sophomore Alexander Lloyd.
Pomona-Pitzer finished 14-10 overall and 9-5 in the Southern
California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last year.
Douglass said he was happy with Wednesday night’s attendance of
2,010. Douglass and his players shook hands and thanked some of the
fans after the win over LMU.
“We have finals next week, so we had a lot of students who weren’t
there and we missed some of the CIA (Completely Insane Anteaters),”
Douglass said. “But the ones who were there were quite vocal. It will
grow. We had a big turnout for Midnight Magic, so we know there will
be more coming.”
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