Some interesting stuff going on with UCI, which suddenly looks like the team to beat in the Big West after last week's impressive 10-point win at USC. Russell Turner seems to have found immediate replacements for Gs Dawson baker & DJ Davis, with sr. Gs Andre Henry & Justin Hohn both scoring in double digits in a balanced Anteater attack. Meanwhile Lorenzo Romar might be soon running out of time in his second tour of duty at Pep, and leaning hard on G Houston Mallette (20.2 ppg) & Michael Ajaye (17.2 ppg) , and having successes only vs. the lesser opposition o the schedule. Play UC Irvine (at Dollar Loan Cneter, Henderson NV)

UC Irvine's Russell Turner went uptempo last year after many years of a below average pace. Turner's team this year has continued with the uptempo game. Pepperdine's Lorenzo Romar just seems to roll the basketballs out on the court and tells his team to have fun running up and down the court. The Waves play below average defense.My model has this total at 158