First-place ‘Eaters put it on the line on the road

Steve Virgen

Perhaps, the most surprising aspect of the UC Irvine men’s

basketball team being in first place in the Big West Conference is

found in Coach Pat Douglass’ following statement.

“We’re as cohesive and as excited as we’ve been at any time during

this season,” Douglass said after Tuesday’s practice. “I think we’re

starting to gel.”

UCI (10-4, 4-1 in the Big West), which has now started to show its

chemistry, will face host University of the Pacific (8-6, 3-2) in a

key Big West game tonight at 5:35 (Fox West Sports 2).

The Anteaters had high hopes entering the season with four

returning starters. But it was only until last week that Douglass

noticed those four players started fulfilling their roles, and that

has been important in UCI discovering its chemistry.

Senior Mike Hood moved back into the starting lineup against Utah

State after coming off the bench the previous seven games. Hood, who

earned Big West Co-Player of the Week honors, scored 17 points,

including the game-winning shot to lead the Anteaters to a 75-73

overtime win over the Aggies Jan. 15. UCI junior Stanislav Zuzak led

all scorers with 20 points, while junior center Adam Parada

contributed 13 points. UCI senior Jordan Harris scored a game-high 19

points in a 88-45 win over Idaho Saturday.

“Everyone has been accepting their roles,” Douglass said. “I don’t

think they knew exactly what to do without Jerry (Green) here. The

four returning starters (Hood, Harris, Zuzak and Parada) struggled to

learn their identity. But now they have learned to rely on one

another. Even last year, we relied on Adam to score. And this year,

if he doesn’t we have others who can step up.”

UCI junior forward Matt Okoro stepped up against Idaho, scoring a

career-high 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting from the field. The

Anteaters also received key contributions from sophomore forward Greg

Ethington and junior guard Aras Baskauskas to lead to the win over

the Vandals. UCI true freshman Mike Efevberha is also capable of

scoring. Though he has gone scoreless in the past three games, he

scored 54 in the previous five. He played only three minutes in each

of last week’s wins over Utah State and Idaho.

Eight different players have led UCI in scoring over the 14 games

this season. Harris has led the team in scoring in four games,

including two of the last three.

In addition, redshirt freshman point guard Jeff Gloger has been a

consistent force on defense and has provided the proper tempo while

guiding the offense. Since Gloger took over as starting point guard

the Anteaters are 10-2, and 6-0 at the Bren Events Center. Gloger

remains third in steals in the nation. He averages 3.43 steals per

game.

“(Point guard) was the main replacement for us with Jerry gone,”

Douglass said. “Jeff is a different ball-player. He is more defensive

oriented. He is in more in the role of a point guard.”

Gloger and Hood will have their hands full against Pacific’s

steady backcourt led by 5-foot-10 senior guard Demetrius Jackson, who

is averaging 14.9 points per game.

Miah Davis (9.9 ppg), a 6-0 guard, also figures largely on the

defensive side.

Coach Bob Thomason’s Tigers also feature 6-9 freshman forward

Christian Maraker, who averages 13.2 points per game and has been

named Big West Player of the Week twice this season. Pacific opened

Big West play with three straight home wins, but lost twice on the

road last week. The Tigers are 7-1 at the Spanos Center this season

and 29-7 in the building over the past three seasons.

Pacific leads the series, 28-27, but the Anteaters have won five

of the past seven meetings. The teams split last season, with UCI

winning 62-58 at the Bren Center and the Tigers claiming a 73-61

victory at Stockton.

“They have quickness at the guard position,” Douglass said of the

Tigers. “Maraker is an up-and-coming 6-9 forward in the league. They

also play excellent defense. We know they’re going to come out fiery

on their home floor and ready to make a statement.”