UC Irvine and Oregon State will clash in an intriguing non-conference matchup at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) Saturday at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Oregon, with the game broadcasted on ESPN+. UC Irvine, one of the Big West’s perennial powerhouses, brings its trademark defensive intensity and quality offense into this road test against an Oregon State team eager to make a statement.
UC Irvine
The Anteaters are off to their best start in program history, matching the 1981-82 team with a flawless 9-0 record. They are one of just three teams in the nation to achieve this impressive start and have earned a No. 9 ranking in the latest Mid-Major Basketball Top 25 Poll.
The Anteaters boast a stingy defense, allowing 59.6 points per game, which ranks 12th in the country, on 36.9% shooting. They supplement that strong defense with a talented and well-balanced offense. They are averaging 75.2 points per game on 46.3% shooting.
Offensively, the Anteaters attack the basket and aren’t reliant on the 3-point shot, making just six per game. Bent Leuchten, a 7-foot-1, 260-pound senior center, is the team’s go-to offensive option. He is averaging a team-high 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks in 24.4 minutes per game.
Devin Tillis is averaging 14 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest. Justin Hohn runs the team’s offense, averaging 11.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest.
Oregon State
The Beavers (6-2) are off to a strong start, with their only two losses coming in tightly contested three-point games against Oregon and North Texas. They are members of the West Coast Conference this year.
The Beavers boast an efficient offense, averaging 77.3 points per game on 49.1% shooting from the field, including 38.9% from 3. They feature a balanced scoring attack, headlined by 6-foot-9 junior forward Michael Rataj. He is averaging a team-high 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
Nate Kingz is the team’s top 3-point shooter, converting 56.3% of his attempts, and is also averaging 12.1 points per game.
Defensively, the Beavers allow teams to score 58.6 points per game, ranking eighth in the country, on 37.4% shooting.
