Men’s Basketball Preview: UC Irvine vs. San Diego Christian

UC Irvine Pregame

Vs. San Diego Christian

Saturday, 7 p.m. at Bren Events Center

The Anteaters (8-7) wrap up their regular-season nonconference schedule against the NAIA school (3-5) that plays in the Golden State Athletic Conference that includes Vanguard and Concordia.

The game will count on UCI’s record, but will be considered an exhibition game by the visitors.

UCI’s eight nonconference wins are its most since the 2000-01 team went 9-2 against nonconference foes in the regulars season on the way to a 25-5 record.

The Anteaters, however, are just 4-3 at home this season after posting a 13-1 home record last season.

Junior Will Davis leads the ‘Eaters in scoring (12.2 per game) and rebounding (7.4 per contest).

Senior Chris McNealy (11.6 ppg) needs just five points to reach 1,000 for his career, He would become the 23rd UCI player to reach that mark.

Freshman guard Luke Nelson averages 11.8 points per contest and he leads the team with 29 three-pointers.

Through Friday, Mamadou Ndiaye, a 7-foot-6 freshman center, ranked fourth in the NCAA in total blocks (53) and he is shooting 75% from the field, including 24 for 28 over the last five games (85.7%). Ndiaye is averaging 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

UCI sophomore guard Alex Young is averaging 9.9 points per game with a team-best 63 assists.

San Diego Christian is led by senior UC Riverside bounce-back Andy Saharan (17 ppg), as well as junior Rafael Rodriguez (12.9 ppg) and senior Kwaminique Brown (7.5 assists per outing).

— Barry Faulkner