UC Irvine is set to host UNLV in the first round of the NIT on March 17 at the Bren Events Center after a strong season, finishing with a record of 23-11. The Anteaters are making their fourth consecutive NIT appearance, having previously advanced to the championship round last year. They were the Big West regular season champions with a 15-5 record and had standout performances from players like Kyle Evans, who holds the single-season block record, and Jurian Dixon, who has been impactful in scoring.

By the Numbers
  • UC Irvine has a NIT history with 11 wins in Division I postseason tournaments (1 NCAA, 6 NIT, 4 CIT).
  • Kyle Evans leads the country with 113 blocks, averaging 3.33 blocks per game.
Yes, But

Despite strong season stats, UC Irvine has struggled against UNLV historically, with a 9-32 all-time record against them. The Anteaters have lost the last four matchups, raising concerns about their ability to overcome past performance.

State of Play
  • UC Irvine achieved their 10th overall NIT appearance and entered as the No. 4 seed in the Tulsa Region.
  • UNLV, under first-year coach John Pastner, has a 17-16 record and advanced to the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals.
What's Next

If UC Irvine successfully overcomes UNLV, they could advance further, potentially improving their postseason success record and solidifying their reputation in men's basketball.

Bottom Line

UC Irvine's balanced offensive lineup and defensive strengths, highlighted by key players like Evans and Dixon, position them well, but they must overcome historical challenges against UNLV to advance in the NIT.