From OC Register Dan Arritt
"he UC Irvine men’s basketball team has won or shared seven of the past 11 Big West Conference regular-season titles and the Anteaters appear to have the team to beat again this season.

UCI is off to its best start in 44 years after winning its first eight nonconference games. The Anteaters are the only unbeaten team in California and own the nation’s longest winning streak.

Big West coaches seem to agree, as eight of 11 picked UCI to defend its title again this season in the annual preseason poll.

The Anteaters will get an opportunity to test themselves against a conference foe earlier than usual when they host Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday night.

The conference is trying a new strategy this season by scheduling five early Big West matchups on Thursday and Saturday before conference play resumes in early January."