UC Irvine Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Anteaters

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters dribbles the ball past Cartier Diarra #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters celebrates a three-point shot with Max Hazzard #2 in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Season Outlook

I honestly feel like UC Irvine will be a huge threat to anybody they play against once again. If you play UC Irvine, you better mark it on your schedule and be prepared because I wouldn’t feel comfortable playing against any team Russell Turner puts on the floor. Sure, they may have lost depth, but I feel like they have it all resolved.

Now with saying, they have their issue of not being as deep under control, what do we say about how they will perform this season? Honestly, I feel like this UC Irvine squad is still a level above the rest in the Big West. Even with the absence of great players from last year’s backcourt, I still believe they have the best backcourt in the Big West. They certainly have the best frontcourt in the conference.

Next. Preseason top-25 power rankings. dark

Now with comparing their position groups to others in the Big West, I am saying that I think they are still better all around than the other teams in their conference. I will conclude by saying that I think UC Irvine will win the Big West regular-season title, as well as the Big West Tournament Title, and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament once again in 2019-20.