Defensive powerhouse UC Irvine has big potential
IRVINE, Calf. — College basketball analyst Richie Schueler to say that UC Irvine deserves more national attention. He is absolutely correct.
The Anteaters are the second best defensive team in the country, allowing opponents only 54.6 points per game. Sure, they haven鈥檛 played that many Division I opponents yet this season, but defensive strength is nothing new for this program.
鈥淭his is my 12th year and we鈥檝e always been a team that prides itself on the defensive end,鈥� said head coach Russell Turner. 鈥淚 think we can be really good playing both man-to-man defense and zone defense. I think that鈥檚 one of the things that makes us an interesting team right now.鈥�
The team is also in the top 15 nationally in rebounds per game. 鈥淒efense, rebounds and travel鈥� are what Turner is emphasizing right now, with 鈥渢ravel鈥� referring to being strong on the road.
UC Irvine is in the middle of a four-game road trip from coast to coast with games against Fresno State, USC, Duquesne and Buffalo. The Anteaters won鈥檛 be back in the Bren Events Center until Dec. 30 to open Big West conference play against the CSUN Matadors.
The Anteaters started 5-1, with that first loss being their season opener on the road to the New Mexico State Aggies. The Aggies are a team that can play physical basketball and has experienced players. Even though it was a loss, UC Irvine still only allowed NMSU 62 points. The most the Anteaters have allowed any opponent this season is 64 points, which was against a good Santa Clara team.
Offensively, the team could be doing better. Only 2020-21 All-Big West first team selection Collin Welp and 2020-21 Big West Freshman of the Year Dawson Baker are consistently scoring in double digits with 13.3 and 11.2 points per game, respectively. Unfortunately for the team, Baker suffered a hand injury during Thursday鈥檚 practice and will be out for several weeks.
Junior forward Austin Johnson is leading the team in rebounds with 7.5 per game. Turner said he is one of the players who has made the biggest jump so far.
鈥淗e has been a defensive and rebounding force for us,鈥� Turner said. 鈥淗e plays at a really high level on the boards and protecting the rim. That makes us especially difficult to play against. He is also an outstanding screener and someone whose offense is going to improve more as the season goes on and he gets more comfortable in the role that he is in.鈥�
Redshirt sophomore guard Justin Hohn is another player who has pleasantly surprised the coach. He averaged 7.7 points per game in the first six games of the season while shooting at 52.9% from the field and going 8-of-16 from beyond the arc.
Oh, okay, Justin! 馃槫馃槫 |
— UCI Men's Basketball (@UCImbb)
There are no seniors listed on the roster other than Welp, who redshirted his first year at UC Irvine. Turner said his team is not consistent yet, but he understands a lot of that is due to inexperience. Last season, the Anteaters were the second youngest team in the country. They are slightly older now but not by much. Even so, the head coach is feeling confident about the potential of this roster.
鈥淭here鈥檚 still a lot of upside for this group because we are relatively very young,鈥� he said. 鈥淥nly Collin is a true veteran in college basketball right now. The rest of our guys are all still developing into what they can become. I鈥檓 excited about that for this program.鈥�
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