IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team (14-11) are ready to hit the road as they take on the top team in The Big West in the UC Irvine Anteaters. The last time these two teams played each other was back on February 8, when the Gauchos lost 61-76 to the Anteaters.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos were back in The Thunderdome as they were looking to break their three-game winning streak. Their hot start was quickly smothered by the Rainbow Warriors as they rallied to take the 34-25 lead. This didn't keep the Gauchos down. With the help of Ajay Mitchell and Josh Pierre-Louis on offense. UC Santa Barbara ultimately battled back to win this game 77-71.
 
ANTICIPATING THE ANTEATERS
UC Irvine is currently the best team in The Big West as they are No. 1 in the standings. They only lost to UC Davis and UC Riverside during the season as they have a 12-2 record in Big West play. The Anteaters are also undefeated in The Bren Center this season with a 10-0 record.
 
The Anteaters are ranked in the Top 30 in three stat categories: bench points per game, field goal percentage defense and free throw percentage. UC Irvine's bench is averaging 28.5 points per game while shooting at 76.4 percent from the charity stripe. They also have held their opponents to an average of 40.5 percent from the field.
 
Individually, Pierre Cockrell II is one of the highest ranked players in the NCAA when it comes to assists. He is 16th in assists, averaging about 6.2 per game.
 
The Anteaters have three players averaging double digits in points. Justin Hohn is leading the team with 12.7 points per game while Derin Saran is averaging 10.4 a game. Andre Henry is the third Anteater as he is averaging about 10.3 points per game.
 
WHEREABOUTS
This game between the Gauchos and Anteaters will be nationally televised on ESPNU with tip-off being at 8 p.m.