BIG WEST BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Butler’s Improved Play Keys UCI’s Recent Success : Anteaters: Center has become more confident and dependable when the team needed it most.

Ricky Butler stood at the free throw line with UC Irvine clinging to a three-point lead late in the Anteaters’ game against Utah State Saturday night at Logan, Utah.

He went through his usual, slow routine while preparing to shoot. Butler took a couple of dribbles, spun the ball in his hands, stared at the rim and released his shot.

The 7,016 Utah State fans howled with delight as the ball fell short of the rim.

“Airball, airball,” they screamed at Butler.

He took a step back and broke into a wide smile.

It was an odd reaction considering the Anteaters were desperately trying to hang on for only their fifth victory of the season.

Butler, a 6-foot-7, 255-pound junior center, went back to the line and made the second free throw. Later, he made a layup and two free throws to seal an 80-76 victory.

“I’m taking everything seriously,” Butler said of his airball. “But if I miss a shot, it’s over. I have to move on to the next shot and (make) it.”

Earlier this season, Butler faced a similar situation in a close game. After shooting an airball at the free throw line that night, he looked suitably grim. The Anteaters then stumbled and bumbled their way to another loss, one in a streak that reached a school-record 15 games.

“Everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” Butler said of the Anteaters’ two-month-long losing streak. “Shooters weren’t shooting. The inside guys weren’t scoring. But we got through all that. Now we’re on the rise.”

Ever since a 102-63 loss to Cal State Long Beach Feb. 15, the Anteaters’ worst since a 72-point wipeout at Nevada Las Vegas 15 years ago, Butler has been a changed player.

With Butler leading the way, the Anteaters have won three of their past five games entering tonight’s 7 p.m. game against Cal State Fullerton in the first round of the Big West tournament at Long Beach Arena.

A new offense and a new attitude have resulted in a new-found confidence and success for Butler at a time when his team needed it most.

“We’re alive,” he said. “We’re playing with some confidence now. I’m pretty happy.”

Coach Bill Mulligan junked two offenses in three weeks, finally settling on the passing game he had used for most of his 10 seasons at Irvine. The offense features four perimeter players with Butler stationed at the low post.

It has given Butler more room to make his moves, and more room for the perimeter players to drive to the basket or set up for jump shots.

“The fact that there’s more room for Ricky makes us a better team,” guard Rod Palmer said. “He’s not that big, but he can take most guys one-on-one. You can see the difference now.”

In the five games since Mulligan went to the new offense, Butler has made 37 of 52 (71.2%) of his shots from the field. And he has averaged 19 points a game, including a 24-point performance against Utah State.

For the season, Butler is shooting 53.5% and averaging a team-leading 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.

“The most amazing recovery,” said Mulligan, who this season has criticized Butler for everything from being overweight to his under-aggressive style of play. “He’s been unreal for three weeks, ever since that Long Beach game.

“He’s playing so well, you look at him and he almost looks skinny.”

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Pairings for the the Big West tournament at the Long Beach Arena:

Tonight * Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Irvine, 7 p.m. * San Jose State vs. Fresno State, 9 p.m.

Friday * New Mexico State vs. San Jose State-Fresno State winner, 1:30 p.m. * Cal State Long Beach vs. Utah State, 4 p.m. * UC Santa Barbara vs. Pacific, 7 p.m. * UNLV vs. Cal State Fullerton-UC Irvine winner, 9 p.m.