Men’s Basketball Preview: Anteaters infused with youth

The UC Irvine men’s basketball team set a new standard for victories last season (28) and made Division I program history two seasons ago by debuting in the NCAA Tournament.

This season, things are just new all around.

There are nine freshmen and a virtually new staff under Russell Turner, whose seventh season opens Friday night at home against Utah State. And, Turner adds, there are new expectations for a program that has four straight 20-win campaigns and four straight appearances in national postseason tournaments.

“I’m excited about the newness of our program,” said Turner, who has led UCI to a 93-51 record the last four seasons (a .646 winning percentage), as well as a 48-18 four-year mark in the Big West Conference (.727) that has included two regular-season and one conference tournament title in the last three seasons. “That includes our roster, our coaches and expectations; everything.

“There are times when I feel really good and positive about what’s going to unfold, and there are other times when I say it might be a tough road. But that’s normal with a young team, I think. I know we have to get a lot figured out, and those lessons become more acute and intense when you play against other people.”

The anchor is senior guard Luke Nelson, a first-team all-conference performer last season, when he led the team in scoring (13.7 per game) and three-pointers (83), and was second in assists (3.9) and steals (48 in 38 games, including 36 starts).

A four-year starter who leads all active Big West players in career points (1,226), assists (361) and steals (115), Nelson is expected to lead an offense that lost three of its top four scorers in 7-foot-6 Mamadou Ndiaye, point guard Alex Young and 6-10 forward Mike Best, as well as key reserves Aaron Wright and Dominique Dunning.

Last year’s ‘Eaters reached the final of the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament and ranked No. 3 in the nation in field-goal-percentage defense (.383).

Senior guard Jaron Martin (8.3 points per game last season), 7-2 senior post Ioannes Dimakopoulos (5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest), sophomore forward Jonathan Galloway (2.7 points and 3.7 rebounds) and sophomore forward Brandon Smith (six starts as a true freshman in 2015-16), are all somewhat known quantities. Turner said all are expected to shoulder bigger roles this season.

Turner said Nelson, Martin, Galloway, Dimakopoulos and Smith would likely start the opener if all were healthy, which is unlikely as Nelson may still be nursing a hamstring problem that hindered him most of the preseason.

But Turner is quick to note that there are talented freshmen, most notably redshirt freshman Max Hazzard and true freshman Tommy Rutherford, who are pressing for starting spots and figure to contribute heavily.

Hazzard, out of Loyola High in Los Angeles, is the grandson of former UCLA star and coach Walt Hazzard. He is foremost among a group of backcourt players who will accelerate the Anteaters’ pace with speed, quickness and energy. He started in place of Nelson and had 10 points in an 81-63 exhibition home victory over Sonoma State on Saturday.

Rutherford, a 6-8 forward who averaged 26.3 points and 21.8 rebounds last season at Grossmont High in El Cajon, combines a high basketball IQ with a high motor and sufficient strength and athleticism to fare well against typically undersized Big West front lines.

“We have speed and a lot of little guys who are fast and can get after the ball a little bit, which gives us a different perimeter identity than we’ve had before,” Turner said. “And we have big guys who are tone-setters with their physicality and effort in Galloway and Rutherford.”

Many UCI observers believe that Dimakopoulos, who backed up Ndiaye last season, could be a key to whether the Anteaters, picked to finish second in the Big West preseason poll, can indeed contend once again.

“I think Ioannes should have his best year,” Turner said of the Greek import. “A lot of people expect him to just step right in for Mamadou, but he and Mamadou are real different players. Their strengths are different, even though they are both seven-footers. What I need is for Ioannes to be a great version of him, which is someone who can score, both in the post and stretching the defense [11 three-pointers last season]. And a lot of his contribution is going to be passing, because he should force teams to double-team, and defensive rebounding, where I expect to see the most improvement from Ioannes.”

Freshman Eyassu Worku out of Los Alamitos High is a darter who is expected to develop at point guard, Turner said, while freshmen John Edgar and Darrian Traylor, both 6-4, provide versatile options on the wing.

Turner said freshmen Justin Wertner, out of Memphis and back from a church mission, and Evan Leonard, a Cerritos High product, are dangerous perimeter shooters, while sophomore Spencer Rivers, the son of Clippers Coach Doc Rivers, can add scoring punch when called upon.

Brad Greene, an imposing 6-10, 320 pounds, and the 6-10 Adam Liberman are both freshmen post players who may need time to develop, Turner said.

Talented 6-9 junior Elston Jones, will sit out this season after transferring from Utah State.

Former assistants Ali Ton and Nick Booker departed for new positions at Fordham and Davidson, respectively. Turner promoted former UCI player Mike Wilder from director of administration to full-time assistant, and also brought in former Old Dominion and Montana head coach Blaine Taylor to join veteran assistant Ryan Badrtalei.

Turner, though generous with praise for the contributions of Ton and Booker, said Taylor, with whom Turner was an assistant for one season at Stanford, brings an accomplished resume and an affable manner that keeps both players and coaches loose. Turner also said Wilder provides youthful enthusiasm and, having played for Turner, a valuable perspective that makes him a trusted sounding board.

UCI fans have circled nonconference road dates with Cal (Nov. 16), Arizona (Dec. 6) and Saint Mary’s (Dec. 11).

The ‘Eaters, who were 21-6 down the stretch last season, open conference play Jan. 4 at home against preseason Big West favorite Long Beach State.