Goal of Reaching Men’s Tournament Fulfilled, Thanks to Competition

Not all the men’s basketball teams in that sink hole known as the Big West Conference Western Division can claim they met expectations this season, but UC Irvine can.

Pacific is a no-brainer. The defending conference champion (21-8, 14-2), with a future lottery pick in 7-foot center Michael Olowokandi, lost their first two conference games, then made mincemeat out of the mice in the division.

Then there are the others.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo? The Mustangs and their coach, Jeff Schneider, crowed about finishing second. The Mustangs (14-14, 7-9) won all their conference games against Western Division teams that finished below .500.

Long Beach State? Underachievers thus far. The 49ers (10-18, 5-11) have the conference’s second-best player in 7-1 Andrew Betts and still finished fifth in the division.

UC Santa Barbara? Cal State Fullerton? The Gauchos (7-19, 4-10) and Titans (11-15, 6-10) were expected by some to challenge Pacific. Santa Barbara Coach Jerry Pimm was “reassigned” within the athletic department last week and walking papers for Fullerton’s Bob Hawking might be on the way.

Which leaves Irvine. Strange, but true, but a team that finished 9-17 overall and 6-10 in conference can look itself in the mirror.

Only once since 1989 has Irvine finished with more than six conference victories. After last season’s 1-25 finish, 9-17 looks pretty good, even if it only raised the program to the mediocre level.

First-year Coach Pat Douglass wanted the Anteaters to qualify for the conference tournament. They did--although being in the conference’s left coast division helped.

“We were picked last and we had a chance to end up in second in the west,” said Douglass, whose team plays Nevada Friday in the first round. “We exceeded any expectations anyone had for this program. That’s a major step for us.”

Not that it was easy.

“I thought they had a little more talent last year,” said San Francisco Coach Phil Mathews, whose team beat Irvine by 33 last season and 16 this season. “I think the system Pat brought in did wonders for those guys.

“I knew from knowing Pat, and what he did at [Cal State] Bakersfield, that it was only a matter of time. They played hard.”

Some of Douglass’ post-practice talks that ranged from Father Flanagan to Vince Lombardi.

“We didn’t have people quit this season,” sophomore forward Juma Jackson said. “A year ago, we would get to a point in games where guys gave up.

“The conference tournament was what we played for all season. Now we’re wide-eyed and ready to go.”

A 3-1 start in conference play made the tournament berth achievable. But it seemed to be slipping away after five consecutive losses, including a crushing 85-66 loss to Fullerton.

“When we lost to Fullerton, I didn’t know if we were going to make it,” junior guard Junior Bond said. “But that was our goal. Getting to Reno meant we could keep playing. That kept us focused. You can’t go to the NCAA tournament without winning the conference tournament. We want to do that, or win one game at least.”

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The Irvine women’s team rolls into the tournament, having won nine of 11 games. The only losses were to first-place Santa Barbara. But the Anteaters’ fate rests on the condition of point guard Megan Stafford.

Stafford has a stress reaction in her left foot, which is literally a step away from a stress fracture. She missed the last two games. Stafford was evaluated by a doctor Monday and was cleared to play, but only on the stipulation that she takes herself out of the game if the pain increases.

“It is the preliminary stages of a stress fracture,” Coach Mark Adams said. “The individual is more important than the team in this case. I’ve seen foot injuries become chronic. It comes down to whether Megan thinks she can go.”

Princess Hatcher filled in and played well last week. But she is not a true point guard like Stafford, whose play pushed the Anteaters into the conference tournament title game a year ago.

“We’re actually a little better on defense with Princess in there,” Adams said. “But you’re taking 12 points and six assists out of our offense. Megan is a creator.”

It’s the second big injury this season for Irvine. Forward Leticia Oseguera, who is fifth in the nation in rebounding, missed the first five games because of a broken hand.

“I said before the season began that we had depth, but the two players we couldn’t lose were Leticia and Megan, and look who got hurt,” Adams said.

Irvine also lost freshman forward Krissy Duperron, who suffered a torn ligament in her right knee. She also has had two surgeries on her left knee.

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Coming Attractions

Key events this week for UC Irvine:

* Men’s volleyball hosts No. 3 Brigham Young Tuesday and Thursday and No. 9 Loyola of Chicago Saturday. All matches are at 7 p.m. Irvine (8-5) needs one victory to tie the single-season school record.

* Men’s tennis hosts Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Anteaters look to improve their 2-0 Big West Conference record.

* The track and field teams compete against USC, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Poly Pomona and San Diego State Sunday on Sunday at USC. Field events begin at 10 a.m., running events at 11:40 a.m. Irvine’s Khara Covington won the long jump at the Carl Rossi Relays last week.

* Women’s tennis hosts Portland at 11 a.m. Sunday. Darian Chappell and Liz Yom are 6-2 as the Anteaters’ No. 1 doubles team.