UCI targets Aggies’ perch

The UC Irvine men’s basketball team will attempt to cool off Big West

Conference-leading Utah State tonight, when the Anteaters open a

two-game, three-day road trip that also includes a stop at Idaho

Saturday.

Utah State (15-1, 7-0 in conference) has won 12 in a row to post

the best start in the program’s 101-season history, but has lost the

last two games against UCI (9-7, 4-3) in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Tipoff is 7:05 p.m.

UCI, coming off a 77-74 overtime loss at Long Beach State

Saturday, needs a victory to remain in contact with the Aggies, as

well as second-place University of the Pacific (7-1 in the Big West

and idle tonight).

Coach Pat Douglass’ Anteaters enter tonight’s clash tied for third

place with UC Santa Barbara. UCI is trying to improve its 1-4 road

record this season in the conference’s most hostile environment,

where Utah State has won nearly 92% of its games (78-7) in Coach Stew

Morrill’s six seasons.

The Aggies have three scorers averaging in double figures, paced

by 6-foot-4 senior guard Cardell Butler (13.4 ppg).

Spencer Nelson, a 6-8 junior forward (11.6 ppg) returns to the

starting lineup after recovering from a broken nose. Nate Harris, a

6-7 sophomore, returns to his reserve role after filling in

prolifically for Nelson. Harris (11.7 ppg) averaged 23.5 points and

shot 76% from the field in two wins last week to earn Big West

Conference Player of the Week laurels for the second straight week.

The Aggies also feature senior point guard Mark Brown (7.6 ppg)

and 6-7 junior forward Jason Williams (7.1 ppg).

UCI continues to feature balanced scoring, led by sophomore guard

Mike Efevberha (13 ppg).

Adam Parada, a 7-0 senior center, is chipping in 12.3 points and

6.9 rebounds per contest, while 6-11 senior Stanislav Zuzak (12.1

ppg) and sophomore point guard Jeff Gloger (10.5) are additional

standouts. Gloger leads the team in rebounding (7.4 per game), as

well as assists (4.8) and steals (2.2).

UCI has won four of the last seven against Utah State. The last

five games in the series have been decided by a combined 12 points,

including three one-point decisions and a two-point overtime verdict.

Idaho (5-11, 2-5) hosts Long Beach State tonight.

-- Barry Faulkner