Loser may be left out

UC Irvine can go a long way toward ensuring a trip to the Big West

Conference men’s basketball tournament with a victory tonight over

visiting Long Beach State. Tipoff is 7:05 p.m. at the Bren Events

Center.

The Anteaters (9-13) enter tied with the 49ers (6-16) for eighth

place, both with 4-9 Big West records. Only Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

(3-9) has been worse in conference play and UCI (seven) and Long

Beach State (five) enter on the conference’s longest losing streaks.

Tonight’s loser will drop into sole possession ninth place and

only eight teams will advance to the Big West postseason tournament,

beginning March 11. Both teams will have just four conference games

remaining after tonight.

UCI’s losing streak started with a 77-74 overtime road loss to the

49ers Jan. 24 and it has been more than a month since the ‘Eaters’

last win, a 74-67 home triumph over Cal State Fullerton Jan. 17.

During the streak, UCI has averaged just 55.9 points per game and

given up 65.2 per contest. The Anteaters have also averaged 17

turnovers during the streak, including games of 27 and 24.

UCI is led by 7-foot senior center Adam Parada, who is averaging

12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore point guard Jeff

Gloger chips in 9.5 points, 6-8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.2 steals

per contest, while 6-8 junior Greg Ethington has averaged 12.5 ppg

the last four games, three of which he has started.

Long Beach is led by 6-5 senior forward Kevin Roberts (15.2 ppg,

6.8 rpg), as well as sophomore guard Jabril Hodges, (10.1 ppg).

-- Barry Faulkner