UC-Irvine Anteaters (1-0) vs. Oregon Ducks (1-0)
The 2022-23 NCAA men’s basketball schedule gets underway on Friday as the UC-Irvine Anteaters take on the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.
This is a battle of two teams that earned victories in their opening contests. Oregon knocked off Florida A&M on Monday, 80-45, while UC-Irvine defeated Chapman on Monday, 96-50. These teams last played each other in March 2019 when Oregon defeated the Anteaters, 73-54. The Ducks have won each of the last six meetings between these teams dating back to 2006.
The season got off on the right foot for UC-Irvine, as they scored 49 in the first half and 47 in the second on their way to a 96-50 victory over Chapman. The Anteaters held the visitors to just 29.6% shooting total, including only 26.1% in the first half. Five players scored in double digits, led by Dawson Baker and Devin Tellis who each scored 14.
In a statement after the game, head coach Russell Turner said, “I am pleased we came out and performed, pleased with the defensive effort and intensity. We learned some lessons from the last game [Alaska Anchorage] and we applied those lessons to this game. I am especially pleased with the crowd we had here tonight. It was the largest crowd we have had in a while, and we tried to put on a show for them.”
After si tting out last year due to injury, Devin Tillis got right back into the swing of things with 14 points in just 14 minutes during the Home Opener! #StillHungry | #DefendTheBren pic.twitter.com/GRhUTchm98
— UCI Men's Basketball (@UCImbb) November 10, 2022
The performance by Tillis was most impressive considering that he sat out most of last season due to a leg injury. Yet, he produced 14 points in just 14 minutes of play. Forward JC Butler had a big game as well, hitting all four of his shots, including two from three-point range as he finished with 10 points.