War of words in air

Steve Virgen

Thus far, UC Irvine’s season has been about overcoming adversity and

complacency. Yet another challenge has come to the UCI men’s

basketball team. And, it’s come in the form of Varnie Dennis, a

junior for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The Anteaters, winners of six in a row and atop the Big West

Conference standings, will try to answer Dennis’ challenging words

tonight at 7:05 at Cal Poly’s Mott Gym.

Dennis gave his opinion of UCI’s frontcourt after Cal Poly

defeated the Anteaters, 74-68, Feb. 1.

“Their post men aren’t very physical,” Dennis said after scoring a

game-high 20 points. In addition, Dennis, a viable Big West Player of

the Year candidate, said he found motivation because he thought the

Anteaters didn’t think too highly of the Mustangs’ frontcourt.

“Every player has read his comments,” UCI Coach Pat Douglass said.

“The thing is, he can back up his comments. He can say whatever he

wants to say until we can prove that we can play at the level he’s

at.”

Dennis offered more words for UCI’s big men, and to Adam Parada,

in particular.

“Since I was a freshman I’ve always had words for Parada,” Dennis

said Wednesday. “I want to get him juiced up. I like to go out there

and play the best. I think Adam can be the best big man in the Big

West if he plays aggressive and apparently he has been doing that

recently. I want his best.”

Parada, the Anteaters’ 7-foot junior center, has scored in double

figures in six of the past seven games, including a 15-point effort

that went with 13 rebounds in UCI’s 78-73 overtime win over

University of the Pacific Saturday.

“I personally take that as a challenge,” Parada said in reaction

to Dennis Feb. 1 comments. “That’s something to look forward to for

next time.”

The Parada-Dennis matchup figures to be one of many sub-plots in a

game between two similar teams. Cal Poly (12-11, 8-6), the conference’s darkhorse, is on a three-game winning streak, which

includes a 66-63 victory over UC Santa Barbara. In addition to their

solid frontcourt, which is strengthened by junior Shane Schilling

(14.0 points per game), the Mustangs also feature a formidable

backcourt led by seniors Jason Allen (12.0 ppg) and Steve Geary (8.6

ppg).

For UCI, senior forward Jordan Harris, who scored a season high 23

points Saturday, teams up with junior forwards Stanislav Zuzak and

Matt Okoro, as well as sophomore center Greg Ethington and Parada to

form, perhaps the deepest frontcourts in the Big West.

“They are a hard team to cover,” Cal Poly Coach Kevin Bromley said

of the Anteaters. “Pat made a statement at a preseason Southern

California luncheon, that he has the best frontline in California. He

said that was a bold statement. I thought it was a bold statement. As

a coach you have to like your players. I really like my front line,

too.”

Bromley said he also respected Jeff Gloger, UCI’s freshman point

guard who is known for his hustle. Gloger, who is also a rebounding

threat, needs one more steal to become the school’s single-season

record holder in steals. He now has 66, which is tied with former UCI

standout Scott Brooks and leads the Big West.

UCI’s backcourt is also led by senior Mike Hood (10.1 ppg), who

has helped make the Anteaters the No. 1 scoring offense in Big West

play (67.7 ppg). Cal Poly is second in the conference in field-goal

percentage defense and No. 1 in rebounding.

“We’re just going to focus on defense,” Dennis said. “I think

we’ve scouted them pretty well. We remember the second half of the

last game. If we continue to play defensive, like we can, we’re

looking to be No. 1 (in field-goal percentage defense) after this

game.”

The UCI-Cal Poly series is tied, 10-10.