2020–21 UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team
{{short description|American college basketball season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 2020–21
| team = UC Irvine Anteaters
| sport = basketball
| logo = UC Irvine Anteaters logo.svg
| logo_size = 100
| conference = Big West Conference
| short_conf = Big West
| CoachRank =
| APRank =
| record = 18–9
| conf_record = 10–4
| wins_vacated =
| ties_forfeited =
| wins_forfeited =
| conf_wins_vacated =
| conf_wins_forfeited =
| head_coach = Russell Turner
| hc_year = 11th
| asst_coach1 = Ryan Badrtalei
| ac1_year =
| asst_coach2 = Michael Wilder
| ac2_year =
| asst_coach3 = Alex Young
| ac3_year =
| mvp =
| mvp_year =
| mvp2 =
| mvp2_year =
| captain = Brad Greene
| captain_year =
| captain2 = Collin Welp
| captain2_year =
| captain3 =
| captain3_year =
| captain4 =
| captain4_year =
| arena = Bren Events Center
(Capacity: 5,000)
| champion =
| tourney =
| tourney_result =
}}
{{2020–21 Big West men's basketball standings}}
The 2020–21 UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team represented the University of California, Irvine in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They played their home games at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California as a member of the Big West Conference. The Anteaters were led by 11th-year head coach Russell Turner. The team finished the season with an 18–9 (10–4) record finishing 2nd place in the standings and advanced to the 2021 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament where they were defeated by UC Santa Barbara 63–79. The Anteaters continued their success finishing 1st or 2nd for 7 straight seasons in the Big West Conference and 4 straight Big West tournament Championship games (the 2020 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The school set a new scoring record and the largest margin of victory (80) on November 28, 2020 over NAIA opponent Bethesda University by the score of 135–55. Also new school records broken in that game were assists (31) and FGs made (56). New Bren Events Center records broken were the most points scored in a first half (70) and game FG % (0.691).
Previous season
{{See also|2019–20 UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team}}
The Anteaters finished the 2019–20 season 21–11, 13–3 in Big West play to win their second straight regular season title. However, the Big West tournament and all other postseason tournaments were canceled as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, effectively ending their season.
The program has won at least 20 games in seven of the last eight seasons. Russell Turner became the winningest coach in program history on January 15 surpassing Pat Douglass's total of 197 wins and won his fourth Big West Coach of the Year Award. Evan Leonard, Eyassu Worku, and Tommy Rutherford all recorded their 1000th point during the season, the first time the program has had three players score 1,000 career points in the same season. The team was 12th in the nation in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to (38.8%) shooting, 11th in total rebounds (1,269), and third in rebounding margin (+9.4). Brad Greene set a Bren Events Center record with 21 rebounds on January 11 vs Hawaii.{{cite web |title=2019–20 MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON REVIEW |url=https://ucirvinesports.com/news/2020/3/30/2019-20-mens-basketball-season-review.aspx |publisher=University of California, Irvine |accessdate=2 April 2020}}
Roster
The Anteaters had the 2nd youngest team in the nation with 13 underclassmen, behind Navy which had 19.
{{CBB roster/Header|year=2019|team=UC Irvine Anteaters|teamcolors=y|sex=M|high_school=y}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=JC|last=Butler|dab=|num=0|pos=F|ft=6|in=5|lbs=200|class=So|rs=y|home=Racine, Wisconsin|high_school=The Prairie School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Dawson|last=Baker|dab=|num=1|pos=G|ft=6|in=3|lbs=180|class=FR|rs=|cur_rs=|home=Coto De Caza, California|high_school=Capistrano Valley High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Justin|last=Hohn|dab=|num=2|pos=G|ft=6|in=1|lbs=180|class=FR|rs=y|cur_rs=|home=Sioux Falls, South Dakota|high_school=Tea High}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Andre|last=Henry|dab=|num=4|pos=G|ft=6|in=4|lbs=175|class=FR|rs=|cur_rs=|home=La Cañada Flintridge, California|high_school=Saint Francis High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Isaiah|last=Lee|dab=|num=5|pos=G|ft=6|in=2|lbs=195|class=So|rs=|cur_rs=|home=Sydney, NSW, Australia|high_school=Australian Institute of Sport}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Ofure|last=Ujadughele|dab=|num=10|pos=G|ft=6|in=3|lbs=210|class=FR|rs=y|cur_rs=|home=Chino Hills, California|high_school=Chino Hills High School|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Hunter|last=Ruck|dab=|num=11|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=220|class=FR|rs=|cur_rs=|home=Scottsdale, Arizona|high_school=Rancho Solano Prep}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Austin|last=Johnson|dab=|num=13|pos=G|ft=6|in=9|lbs=223|class=So|rs=|cur_rs=|home=Marietta, Georgia|high_school=Link Year Prep/Wheeler High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Jeron|last=Artest|dab=|num=15|pos=G|ft=6|in=3|lbs=184|class=So|rs=|cur_rs=|home=Scottsdale, Arizona|high_school=Bella Vista Prep}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Jayce|last=Catchings|dab=|num=21|pos=G|ft=6|in=4|lbs=190|class=FR|rs=|cur_rs=|home=St. Louis, Missouri|high_school=Rancho Christian School|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=DJ|last=Davis|dab=|num=22|pos=G|ft=6|in=0|lbs=160|class=FR|rs=|cur_rs=|home=Moreno Valley, California|high_school=Riverside Polytechnic High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Emmanuel|last=Tshimanga|dab=|num=25|pos=F|ft=7|in=0|lbs=300|class=FR|rs=y|cur_rs=|home=Scottsdale, Arizona|high_school=Bella Vista Prep}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Dean|last=Keeler|dab=|num=31|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=210|class=So|rs=|cur_rs=|home=Westminster, California|high_school=Marina High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Collin|last=Welp|dab=|num=40|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=225|class=JR|rs=y|cur_rs=|home=Seattle, Washington|high_school=Seattle Preparatory School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Brad|last=Greene|dab=|num=55|pos=C|ft=6|in=11|lbs=270|class=SR|rs=y|cur_rs=|home=Lone Pine, California|high_school=Lone Pine High School}}
{{CBB roster/Footer|roster_url=https://ucirvinesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2020-21|accessdate=1 December 2020
|head_coach=
|asst_coach=
- Ryan Badrtalei ({{college|UCLA}})
- Michael Wilder ({{college|UC Irvine}})
- Alex Young ({{college|UC Irvine}})
}}
Source{{cite web |title=2020–21 Men's Basketball Roster |url=https://ucirvinesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2020-21 |publisher=University of California, Irvine |accessdate=13 March 2021}}
Schedule and results
{{CBB schedule start
| rank = yes
| gamehighs = yes
| attend = yes
}}
|-
!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|UC Irvine Anteaters}}| Regular season
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = November 25, 2020
| nonconf = yes
| time = 3:30{{nbsp}}pm
| tv =
| neutral = yes
| opponent = Pepperdine
| score = 72–86
| record = 0–1
| highscorer = Greene
| points = 20
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 9
| highassister = Baker
| assists = 6
| site_stadium = Viejas Arena
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = San Diego, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = November 27, 2020
| nonconf = yes
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = MWN/YurView
| away = yes
| opponent = San Diego State
| score = 58–77
| record = 0–2
| highscorer = Greene
| points = 11
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 8
| highassister = Butler
| assists = 4
| site_stadium = Viejas Arena
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = San Diego, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = November 28, 2020
| nonconf = yes
| time = 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = Big West TV
| opponent = Bethesda
| score = 135–55
| record = 1–2
| highscorer = Johnson
| points = 20
| highrebounder= Johnson
| rebounds = 16
| highassister = Lee
| assists = 6
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 02, 2020
| nonconf = yes
| time = 6:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = Big West TV
| opponent = La Sierra
| score = 104–54
| record = 2–2
| highscorer = Baker
| points = 21
| highrebounder= Butler
| rebounds = 9
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Davis, Lee}}
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 08, 2020
| nonconf = yes
| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = P12N
| away = yes
| opprank =
| opponent = USC
| score = 56–91
| record = 2–3
| highscorer = Baker
| points = 17
| highrebounder= {{tooltip|Tied|Johnson, Tshimanga}}
| rebounds = 7
| highassister = Henry
| assists = 5
| site_stadium = Galen Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 17, 2020
| nonconf = yes
| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = WCCN
| away = yes
| opponent = Loyola Marymount
| score = 48–51
| record = 2–4
| highscorer = Baker
| points = 12
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 19
| highassister = Welp
| assists = 2
| site_stadium = Gersten Pavilion
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Los Angeles
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 19, 2020
| nonconf = yes
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = Big West TV
| away =
| opponent = San Diego
| score = 85–53
| record = 3–4
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 16
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 9
| highassister = Lee
| assists = 6
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 27, 2020
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| opponent = UC Santa Barbara
| score = 75–56
| record = 4–4
| conference = 1–0
| highscorer = Greene
| points = 14
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 12
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Lee, Hohn}}
| assists = 4
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 28, 2020
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| opponent = UC Santa Barbara
| score = 73–69
| record = 5–4
| conference = 2–0
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 16
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 9
| highassister = Welp
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 01, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = Cal State Northridge
| status = c
| result_details= Canceled due to COVID-19 issues.
| tv =
| score =
| highscorer =
| points =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highassister =
| assists =
| site_stadium = Matadome
| attend =
| site_cityst = Northridge, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 02, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = Cal State Northridge
| status = c
| result_details= Canceled due to COVID-19 issues.
| tv =
| score =
| highscorer =
| points =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highassister =
| assists =
| site_stadium = Matadome
| attend =
| site_cityst = Northridge, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 08, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| opponent = UC Davis
| status = c
| result_details= Canceled due to Yolo County restrictions.
| tv =
| score =
| highscorer =
| points =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highassister =
| assists =
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend =
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 09, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| opponent = UC Davis
| status = c
| result_details= Canceled due to Yolo County restrictions.
| tv =
| score =
| highscorer =
| points =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highassister =
| assists =
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend =
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 8, 2021
| nonconf = yes
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = UC San Diego
| status = c
| result_details= Canceled due to COVID-19 issues.
| tv =
| score =
| highscorer =
| points =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highassister =
| assists =
| site_stadium = RIMAC Arena
| attend =
| site_cityst = La Jolla, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 9, 2021
| nonconf = yes
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| away = yes
| opponent = UC San Diego
| score = 79–65
| record = 6–4
| highscorer = Davis
| points = 23
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 6
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Welp, Artest}}
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = RIMAC Arena
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = La Jolla, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 22, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| opponent = Cal Poly
| score = 68–49
| record = 7–4
| conference = 3–0
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 15
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 8
| highassister = Welp
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 23, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| opponent = Cal Poly
| score = 67–44
| record = 8–4
| conference = 4–0
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 18
| highrebounder= {{tooltip|Tied|Greene, Johnson}}
| rebounds = 7
| highassister = Hohn
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 29, 2021
| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = Spectrum OC16 Big West TV
| away = yes
| opponent = Hawaii
| score = 53–51
| record = 9–4
| conference = 5–0
| highscorer = Greene
| points = 18
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 14
| highassister = Davis
| assists = 4
| site_stadium = Stan Sheriff Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Honolulu, HI
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 30, 2021
| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = Spectrum OC16 Big West TV
| away = yes
| opponent = Hawaii
| score = 61–62
| overtime = OT
| record = 9–5
| conference = 5–1
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 20
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 11
| highassister = Artest
| assists = 2
| site_stadium = Stan Sheriff Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Honolulu, HI
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 05, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| opponent = Cal State Bakersfield
| score = 70–53
| record = 10–5
| conference = 6–1
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 16
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 8
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Greene, Davis, Ujadughele, Henry}}
| assists = 2
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 06, 2021
| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPNU
| opponent = Cal State Bakersfield
| score = 57–62
| record = 10–6
| conference = 6–2
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 14
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 8
| highassister = Davis
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 12, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3 Wildcard
| away = yes
| opponent = UC Riverside
| score = 65–86
| overtime =
| record = 10–7
| conference = 6–3
| highscorer = Davis
| points = 21
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 7
| highassister = Welp
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = SRC
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Riverside, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 13, 2021
| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPNU
| away = yes
| opponent = UC Riverside
| score = 73–67
| overtime =
| record = 11–7
| conference = 7–3
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 27
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 13
| highassister = Lee
| assists = 4
| site_stadium = SRC
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Riverside, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 19, 2021
| time = 5:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = Big West TV
| away = yes
| opponent = Cal State Fullerton
| score = 89–78
| overtime =
| record = 12–7
| conference = 8–3
| highscorer = Baker
| points = 23
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 11
| highassister = Baker
| assists = 4
| site_stadium = Titan Gym
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Fullerton, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 20, 2021
| time = 5:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = Big West TV
| away = yes
| opponent = Cal State Fullerton
| score = 64–67
| overtime =
| record = 12–8
| conference = 8–4
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 21
| highrebounder= Greene
| rebounds = 13
| highassister = Lee
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Titan Gym
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Fullerton, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 26, 2021
| nonconf = yes
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| opponent = UC San Diego
| score = 80–55
| overtime =
| record = 13–8
| conference =
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 29
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 10
| highassister = Davis
| assists = 4
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 27, 2021
| nonconf = yes
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| opponent = UC San Diego
| score = 75–64
| overtime =
| record = 14–8
| conference =
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 19
| highrebounder= Welp
| rebounds = 12
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Baker, Henry, Lee}}
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Bren Events Center
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Irvine, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 05, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| away = yes
| opponent = Long Beach State
| score = 71–68
| overtime = OT
| record = 15–8
| conference = 9–4
| highscorer = {{tooltip|Tied|Davis, Welp}}
| points = 18
| highrebounder = Greene
| rebounds = 9
| highassister = Davis
| assists = 5
| site_stadium = Walter Pyramid
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Long Beach, CA
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 06, 2021
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| tv = ESPN3
| away = yes
| opponent = Long Beach State
| score = 73–58
| overtime =
| record = 16–8
| conference = 10–4
| highscorer = Baker
| points = 14
| highrebounder = Welp
| rebounds = 9
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Davis, Welp}}
| assists = 3
| site_stadium = Walter Pyramid
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Long Beach, CA
}}
|-
!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|UC Irvine Anteaters}}| 2021 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 11, 2021
| time = 5:00 pm
| tv = ESPN3
| seed = 2
| neutral = yes
| oppseed = 10
| opponent = Cal Poly
| gamename = Quarterfinals
| status = w
| score = 58–51
| record = 17–8
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 15
| highrebounder = Welp
| rebounds = 10
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Artest, Welp}}
| assists = 2
| site_stadium = Michelob Ultra Arena
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Paradise, NV
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 12, 2021
| time = 9:00 pm
| tv = ESPNU
| seed = 2
| neutral = yes
| oppseed = 3
| opponent = UC Riverside
| gamename = Semifinals
| status = w
| score = 78–61
| record = 18–8
| highscorer = {{tooltip|Tied|Baker, Welp}}
| points = 17
| highrebounder = Greene
| rebounds = 7
| highassister = {{tooltip|Tied|Greene, Welp}}
| assists = 2
| site_stadium = Michelob Ultra Arena
| attend = 0
| site_cityst = Paradise, NV
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 13, 2021
| time = 8:30 pm
| tv = ESPN2
| seed = 2
| neutral = yes
| oppseed = 1
| opponent = UC Santa Barbara
| gamename = Championship
| status = l
| score = 63–79
| record = 18–9
| highscorer = Welp
| points = 22
| highrebounder = Greene
| rebounds = 8
| highassister = Greene
| assists = 2
| site_stadium = Michelob Ultra Arena
| attend = 17
| site_cityst = Paradise, NV
}}
|-
{{CBB schedule end|region=|regionname=|notes=}}
Source{{cite web |title=2020–21 Men's Basketball Schedule |url=https://ucirvinesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule|publisher=University of California, Irvine |accessdate=1 December 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2020-21 UC Irvine Anteaters Men's Basketball Team}}