UCI visits Cal

UC Irvine bids for the program’s 10th men’s basketball victory

against Pac-10 competition when it meets Cal tonight at 7 at the Haas

Pavilion in Berkeley.

The Anteaters (2-2) have lost 24 of their previous 33 meetings

against Pac-10 schools, including a 72-59 setback against No.

20-ranked Stanford in their home opener Nov. 25.

UCI’s last win against a Pac-10 school was its 56-55 triumph at

Washington in December of 2000. The ‘Eaters also defeated Cal, 56-52,

earlier that season and are 2-3 all-time against the Golden Bears.

Cal (1-2) has had its three games this year decided by a combined

four points. It lost to UNLV, 59-57, Saturday, after defeating BYU,

47-46, and losing to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 63-62.

UCI is led by 6-foot-11 senior Stanislav Zuzak (14 points per

game), while 7-0 senior Adam Parada and sophomore point guard Jeff

Gloger are both averaging 10.5 ppg.

Cal is led by 6-8 freshman forward Leon Powe, who is averaging

14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per contest. Amit Tamir, a 6-10 senior,

is averaging 10 points and 6.9 rebounds for Coach Ben Braun.

Cal, 22-9 last season, is coming off three straight trips to the

NCAA tournament. UCI finishes its road trip with games against

Princeton and Arkansas-Monticello, Friday and Saturday, respectively,

in the McCaffrey Classic at Fresno State.

-- Barry Faulkner