Preview: UC Irvine Looks to Rebound Against Cal Poly in Big West Clash SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Interstat) — The UC Irvine Anteaters aim to bounce back from a tough road loss when they visit the Cal Poly Mustangs in a Big West Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night. The Anteaters (16-8) enter Robert Mott Gymnasium after falling 84-79 at UC Santa Barbara last Saturday, snapping a three-game winning streak. UC Irvine remains near the top of the conference standings, leveraging a defense that has held opponents to an average of 66.2 points during its recent 5-2 stretch. Cal Poly (9-16) seeks consistency after a 67-58 loss at UC Davis, its seventh defeat in the last ten outings. The Mustangs’ defense has struggled, allowing 80 or more points in six of those ten games. A key matchup will feature UC Irvine guard Andre Henry against Cal Poly’s Jess Esso Essis. Henry is averaging 14.3 points over his last six games, coming off an 18-point performance at UCSB. Essis has provided a spark for the Mustangs, scoring in double figures in three consecutive contests, including 13 points in a road win at UC Riverside on Jan. 31. UC Irvine won the first meeting this season, 81-77 at Cal State Bakersfield on Jan. 1. The teams will meet again in Irvine on March 5. The Anteaters’ offense runs through multiple options. Alongside Henry, Kyle Evans (17 points vs. UCSB) and Jurian Dixon (15 points vs. UCSB) have been reliable scorers. Cal Poly counters with Hamad Mousa, who matched Essis with 12 points in the loss to UC Davis, and playmaker Peter Bandelj, who dished out three assists in that game. History favors the Anteaters, who have dominated the series in recent years. Cal Poly’s last home win against UC Irvine came in 2018. The Mustangs will need a strong defensive effort and efficient scoring to protect their home court and upset the conference frontrunner. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST Thursday at the 3,032-seat Robert Mott Gymnasium.