
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team competes in the Big West Conference of NCAA Division I. The team is currently in its thirteenth season under head coach Russell Turner. The Anteaters have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament twice, most recently in 2019, and have a combined record of 1-2. Devin Tillis is a notable player on the team, scoring 24 points in UC Irvine's 82-72 win over Northern Colorado in the NIT.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| Conference | Big West |
| Nickname | Anteaters |
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
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What You'll Learn

UC Irvine Anteaters play in Division I
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team plays in Division I of the NCAA. They are currently in their thirteenth season under head coach Russell Turner and compete in the Big West Conference. The Anteaters have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament twice, most recently in 2019, with a combined record of 1-2.
UC Irvine's basketball team has a long history, previously competing in the NCAA Division II Independent from 1965-66 to 1976-77. During this time, they appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament four times, with a combined record of 2-6. The team has also appeared in nine National Invitation Tournaments (NIT), including a recent win over Northern Colorado.
The Anteaters' main rivals are Long Beach State Beach, and the team's notable alumni include Scott Brooks, the associate head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers, and professional football tight end Darren Fells. With their dedicated players and experienced coach, the UC Irvine Anteaters continue to proudly represent the University of California, Irvine, in Division I basketball competitions.
Playing in Division I, UC Irvine's basketball team showcases their skills and determination against some of the best collegiate basketball teams in the nation. Division I is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the NCAA, featuring talented student-athletes and competitive programs across various sports, including basketball. UC Irvine's placement in Division I reflects the high calibre of their basketball program and the dedication of their athletes and coaching staff.
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Part of the Big West Conference
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team competes in the Big West Conference within Division I of the NCAA. UC Irvine's basketball team has been competing in the Big West Conference for thirteen years under head coach Russell Turner. The Anteaters have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament twice, most recently in 2019, with a combined record of 1-2.
The Big West Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I, which UC Irvine's basketball team is a part of. The conference was founded in 1969 and is made up of schools from the western region of the United States, primarily California. The Big West Conference offers 18 championship sports, including basketball, and its members include notable universities such as UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, and Long Beach State.
As a member of the Big West Conference, UC Irvine's basketball team competes against other Division I schools within the conference. The conference provides a platform for UC Irvine and other member institutions to showcase their athletic talents and foster competition among peers. The Anteaters' main rivals within the Big West Conference are the Beach of Long Beach State.
UC Irvine's basketball team has had a successful history within the Big West Conference. In addition to their NCAA Division I Tournament appearances, they have also participated in nine National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). The team's achievements have produced notable alumni, including Portland Trail Blazers associate head coach Scott Brooks and professional football tight end Darren Fells.
The Anteaters' colours are blue and gold, and their nickname, the Anteaters, is unique and memorable. The team's success and reputation within the Big West Conference have contributed to the pride and spirit of UC Irvine's athletic programme.
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Team colours: blue and gold
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team represents the University of California, Irvine. The team's colours are blue and gold, with specific colour codes provided for digital or print projects. The dark blue is Pantone PMS 289 C, with a hex colour code of #0C2340 and RGB of 12, 35, 64. The gold is Pantone PMS 123 C, with a hex colour code of #FFC72C and RGB of 255, 199, 44.
The UC Irvine team is currently in its thirteenth year under head coach Russell Turner. They compete in the Big West Conference, NCAA Division I, and their main rivals are Long Beach State Beach.
The Anteaters have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament twice, with a combined record of 1-2. They have also appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament four times, with a combined record of 2-6. The team has had more success in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), having appeared nine times.
Notable alumni of the UC Irvine basketball programme include Scott Brooks, associate head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Darren Fells, a professional football tight end.
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Head coach: Russell Turner
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team competes in the NCAA Division I and is currently in its thirteenth year under head coach Russell Turner. Turner, an American college basketball coach, was named UC Irvine's head coach on April 9, 2010, marking the start of a new era for the team.
Turner brought a wealth of experience to the role, having served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA for six seasons prior to his appointment. During his time with the Warriors, Turner gained valuable insights into game planning, opponent analysis, and player development. He also held coaching positions at Stanford University and Wake Forest University, showcasing his versatility and ability to work at the highest levels of college and professional basketball.
In his thirteen seasons at UC Irvine so far, Turner has established himself as the winningest coach in the program's history. He has guided the Anteaters to eight twenty-win seasons in the last ten years, averaging over 20 wins per season for his career. Turner has led the team to seven postseason appearances, including two NCAA Tournament appearances. The Anteaters broke school records under Turner in the 2018-19 season, achieving the most overall wins (31), the longest winning streak (17 games), and tying a program-best 15-1 mark in Big West play.
Turner's success at UC Irvine has not gone unnoticed, as he was listed by CBS Sports in 2014 as one of the 10 college basketball coaches on the rise. ESPN Insider also recognised his talent, naming him as one of the 10 coaches to watch in 2015. Turner's impact extends beyond the court, as he was voted one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Orange County in 2015, demonstrating his positive influence on the community. With his impressive record and accolades, Turner has solidified his reputation as one of the most respected and influential coaches in college basketball.
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Alumni include Scott Brooks and Darren Fells
The UC Irvine Anteaters men's basketball team represents the University of California, Irvine, and competes in the NCAA Division I. The team is currently led by head coach Russell Turner, and its main rivals are the Beach of Long Beach State.
Notable alumni of the UC Irvine basketball program include Scott Brooks and Darren Fells. Scott Brooks '87 is a former NBA basketball player and member of the 1994 World Champion Houston Rockets. He played for 12 seasons in the NBA, with his number being retired by UCI Athletics in 2019. He went on to become an assistant coach for several teams before being named the OKC head coach in 2008. He guided the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012 and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2010.
Darren Fells '08, on the other hand, went on to become an NFL player for the Detroit Lions. During his time at UCI, Fells was a standout player, ranking 3rd in rebounding with 780 boards and 12th in career scoring with 1,252 points. He is one of only five players in UCI history to record at least 1,000 points and 700 rebounds in their career. After his time at UCI, Fells played professional basketball in Belgium, Finland, and Argentina before transitioning to the NFL.
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Frequently asked questions
UC Irvine Anteaters compete in NCAA Division I.
The team plays in the Big West Conference.
The nickname of the team is the Anteaters.
The team colours are blue and gold.











































