2020-21 Men's Basketball Season Preview

By Sarah Zetlmeisl

November 13, 2020

The UC Irvine men’s basketball team is coming off its eighth-straight winning season and fifth Big West regular season title in seven years. The 2020-21 Anteaters will look to continue that success and reach new heights. Here’s what you need to know before first tip on Nov. 25.

“It's an unusual season and we are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to play," said 11th year head coach Russell Turner. “We are a young team but we are well constructed to play for the league championship. I think our depth will be well suited for the type of schedule the Big West has put forth with playing the same opponent in back-to-back games. We are excited for those opportunities and thank our leadership for giving us the chance to play. We also have a really good non-conference schedule that will challenge us but I think it will be exciting for our fans."

Turner returns for his 11th season at the helm. He upped his career win total to 209 becoming the winningest in UCI program history and has done so averaging over 20 wins a season. Turner is second in active wins among all the Big West head coaches and ranks 7th all-time in the Big West. Turner is a four-time Big West Coach of the Year and led UCI to both of its NCAA Tournament appearances in 2015 and 2019.

We are a young team but we are well constructed to play for the league championship.

Head coach Russell Turner

The 2020-21 Anteaters return 10 players from last year’s squad and welcome five new faces to the team. Among the returning talent are two all-conference selections, the Big West Sixth Man of the Year and the Big West's leading rebounder.

UCI was selected to finish first in the Big West preseason media poll and received 18 out of 28 first-place votes.

“We are a team that is going to compete for the conference championship and we are excited and hungry for that opportunity.”

SENIOR

Brad Greene

“Brad is our most veteran guy and he has really attacked this season with a leadership mentality that I have truly been impressed with. Brad was playing at a first team all-conference level last year when the season was abruptly ended. His performance last year indicated how hard he has worked and how much he has improved. I don’t have any doubt that Brad will be dominate at both ends of the floor and will be one of the best players in the Big West. I am happy he is rolling with us.”

Greene led the Big West in rebounding (7.7 rpg) and was second in blocked shots (1.4 bpg) last season. He was a Big West honorable mention selection and led UCI with nine double-doubles. Greene set a Bren Events Center record grabbing 21 rebounds against Hawaii last January. He averaged 9.0 points per game and started 31 games for the 'Eaters.

brad-greene-uci-mbb-2019-2020-nabc-honors-court-cal-poly

JUNIOR

Collin Welp

“Collin was a first team all-conference player last year and I think every coach in the conference knows that he is a problem and has the ability to score big numbers. He is a matchup problem because he can do so much damage in so many ways. He is an offensively versatile player with a great brain for the game. He has an extraordinary high level of competiveness. I'm excited to see what he does this season.”

Welp, the 2019-20 Big West Sixth Man of the Year and all-conference first team selection, returns as UCI's leading scorer (13.0 ppg). He ranked second in the Big West and first for the 'Eaters in 3-point field goal percentage (.442) and also was second on the roster in rebounds per game (5.9). Welp came off the bench and averaged 23.4 minutes per game with a 47.6 percent field goal percentage.

The combination of Brad and Collin in the front court is as good and talented as any combination we have had in this program.

SOPHOMORES

JC Butler

“JC made a big sacrifice for the program last year in deciding to redshirt and I think that year is going to benefit him immensely further down the line. JC played major minutes in two NCAA Tournament games and then spent a year dedicating himself to get better. He is physical and smart and will have a huge impact on our ability to chase a championship."

Butler used a redshirt year in 2019-20. As a freshman in 2018-19, he helped UCI win the Big West Conference regular season and tournament. Butler played in both NCAA Tournament games and averaged 8.7 mpg, 1.4 ppg and 1.3 rpg on the season.

Isaiah Lee

“Isaiah had a huge role on our championship team last year. I thought he played really well as a freshman and continued to get better as the season went on. I think we can expect to see Isaiah demand a bigger role on this team. He is really good on both sides of the ball and has a really high IQ. We know we have an experienced presence at the point guard spot and that will help elevate our team."

Lee played in all 32 games as a freshman averaging 3.3 points per game. He was second on the team with 72 assists on the season (2.25 apg).

Austin Johnson

“I expect AJ to have a jump in productivity and opportunity this year. This will be a big year for him and I am excited about that. He worked really hard this summer to make himself better and came back in really good condition. We know he is a good combination with either Brad or Collin. What I hope to see from AJ is continued emphasis on the defensive end of the floor and in rebounding. We know he can score and make plays at the rim and he impacts games with his energy and athleticism."

Johnson played in all 32 games a freshman averaging 3.3 rebounds per game and 4.2 points per game. He finished second on the team in total blocks (70) and blocks per game (.94).

Jeron Artest

“Jeron became a really feared defensive player last year and we expect the same thing from him this season. He can have an impact on any individual matchup in the league. Jeron made so much improvement with his decision making, ball handling and shooting. His shooting is an obvious strength and he is going to have a great impact on this program over the long haul.”

Artest played in all 32 contests as a freshman. He averaged 2.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg and 14.0 minutes per game.

Dean Keeler

“Dean helped us win some games last year and his future is so bright. He continues to improve every day and I am thrilled with the rate of his improvement and his future on this team.”

Keeler played in 15 games as a freshman, averaging 3.0 minutes per game and 1.3 rebounds per game.

REDSHIRT FRESHMEN

Emmanuel Tshimanga

“Emmanuel is a guy who our fans are going to love. He is so talented and has a great positive personality. As he continues to work on his conditioning and strength, I think we will see the huge impact he has on this program going forward"

Justin Hohn

“Justin is a really explosive player, he can score the ball a lot of ways and has a great brain for the game. I am looking forward to having him out on the court this season and see what he does."

Ofure Ujadughele

“Ofure gives us something different on the perimeter as he is such a physical, powerful guard. He has the ability to get to the paint and draw fouls. He has a really aggressive defensive mentality so I am excited for his future.”

FRESHMEN

Newcomers Hunter Ruck, Dawson Baker, Andre Henry, DJ Davis and Jayce Catchings will also look to make an immediate impact on the talented Anteater squad.

The freshman class was recruited to play on a team that wins championships and that is the level of play I expect from the group this year. All of these guys have impressed me and they all shoot the ball extremely well.

Hunter Ruck

“Hunter is a big physical player and will be a versatile player for us and his future is very bright.”

Ruck played for Rancho Solano Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz. He is a two-time 2A State Champion and was the 2A Conference Player of the Year in 2019-20.

Dawson Baker

“Dawson is a mature freshman. He acts like a veteran player and he is very smart and competitive. He has improved a lot and we are excited for him this season.”

Baker graduated in 2018 and went on a two-year mission to Guam. He was an All-CIF selection, 2AA Player of the Year and All-State honoree.

Andre Henry

“Andre is an excellent all-around basketball player. He is a great fit here. He has the ability to make plays on offense and defense and I know our fans are really going to enjoy watching him develop.”

Henry is a Wooden Award winner from St. Francis High School. Last season, he led his team to the SoCal Regional II Championship Game.

DJ Davis

“DJ is a talented scoring player. He is going to excite our fans with his ability to score in flurries and from deep. He is also a creative ball handler and decision maker.”

Davis averaged 19.2 ppg and 2.3 steals per game in high school.

Jayce Catchings

“We got a really good player in Jayce, he has been really competitive in practices. He is one of the fastest guys on the team and brings a lot of athleticism and determination. I’m excited for his future at UCI.”

Catchings led the state of Missouri in scoring in 2019 and was an All-State, All-District and All-Conference player in high school.

The 2019-20 team finished with a 21-11(.656) overall record. The Anteaters went 13-3 in Big West play, earning their second-consecutive Big West regular season title. UCI finished three games ahead of the second-place Big West team and was the No. 1 seed at the Big West Tournament before the abrupt end to the season.

The ‘Eaters ranked third nationally in rebound margin (9.4), 18th in defensive rebounds (28.16), 12th nationally in field goal percentage defense (.388), 11th in total rebounds (1,269) and 22nd in rebound average (39.66).

UCI claimed the Big West regular season title for the fifth time in the last seven years. It was also the first time UCI won back-to-back outright regular season titles.

2020-21 SCHEDULE