UCI seeded 13th in South Regional and will face fourth seeded Kansas State in opener

UCI Coach Russell Turner addresses players and supporters Sunday during a viewing party on campus. (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

UCI players waited in anticipation for about a half hour, then jumped up and down and roared their approval when they found out their opening draw for the NCAA Tournament.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

UCI players wait for the big announcement Sunday.

Long-time UCI fans Holly Ackman-Riggs and Don Riggs await the announcement of the pairings Sunday.

UCI players await to hear where they will play Friday.

Anteater fans wait for the announcement of the NCAA pairings.

UCI Coach Russell Turner addresses his players and team supporters during a viewing party Sunday.

UCI players and coaches pose for a picture aftere the Anteaters won the Big West title Saturday night.
Photo courtesy Steve Zylius/UCI Communications

The players got the official word during CBS selection show and their supporters joined in on the excitement during the event at the Newkirk Alumni Center.

UCI, the Big West Conference champion, will be the 13th seed in the South Regional and face fourth-seeded Kansas State Friday at 11 a.m. in San Jose. TBS will carry the game live.

“I can’t say enough thanks to all of you who are here supporting us and for all the support we’ve gotten throughout this community this season,” UCI Coach Russell Turner told school officials and about a hundred supporters Sunday afternoon.

“I couldn’t be prouder of these guys. I think everybody in here feels the same way.”

Turner noted the team’s 30 wins, the regular season title and Big West Conference tournament title and encouraged Anteater fans to fly or drive to San Jose for the opener.

(For a full report and pictures of Saturday’s Big West finals, please click here)

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com