Our experts predict whether Anteaters can pull off an upset over Kansas State Friday

Peter the Anteater was honored as the Big West Conference’s Mascot of the Year at the Big West Tournament (Photo courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone)

Peter the Anteater.

UC Irvine basketball fans love him and fans across the country will certainly be amused when the Anteaters take on Kansas State Friday morning at 11 a.m. in San Jose in the South Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

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

The mascot was developed in 1965 when the university opened and he’s become one of the most original mascots in the country.

The mascot was inspired by the Johnny Hart comic strip “B.C.” According to a story in a 1990 UCI basketball press guide, two water polo players Pat Glasgow and Bob Ernst, started the campaign along with fellow student Schuyler Bassett III.

Then UCI students took a vote. The other options were Eagles, Unicorns, Golden Bears and Seahawks. The nickname Anteaters won with 55.9 percent of the vote. Along with it came the new battle cry, “Zot! Zot!”

As Orange County fans prepare for the big game, we’ve asked our expert panel to talk about this unique mascot and to assess UCI’s chances in the big game.

Jim McCormack, former sports writer and editor at the Long Beach Press Telegram who used to cover Long Beach State and the Big West:

“I never paid much attention to the mascots at games. I was usually preoccupied with other matters, but it speaks well that he was chosen as the best mascot in the Big West, and he was entertaining while being honored during halftime of the UCI-Long Beach game in the Big West Tournament.

“I’m hoping that the Anteaters do well. They are an old-school team that has been built over several seasons. This year’s team is the culmination of a lot of hard work and specific plans and a 30-win season is a wonderful reward for that plan.

“Can they beat Kansas State? I don’t know. Kansas State is also a great basketball story, taking perennial power Kansas to the limit in the Big 12. I think the Anteaters will have to play a flawless game, but they have trained for this moment. It would be great for them, for old-school basketball and for the Big West if they could get a win or two in the tournament.

Note: McCormack was at the Press-Telegram for 45 years, 26 as an editor, mostly in sports and a writer for 19 years, 14 of which were spent covering Long Beach State. He retired in 2006 (13 years ago this September). McCormack now contributes photos for OC Sports Zone.

Mike Filia, father of Mikey Filia, UCI baseball player:

“I like the Anteaters mascot. Peter looks fit and athletic. He’s ready to work. I like when we shorten the name to ‘Eaters too. It looks cool on the jerseys.

“I think it’s exciting for the entire university. This program has been building for years and you can tell Coach (Russell) Turner and his staff have put in the work. They are well coached and disciplined. I really hope they do well in the tournament.”

John Goins, boys basketball coach at Beckman High School:

“I like schools with non-traditional mascots, and like my alma mater, Cal State Fullerton, UCI possesses an interesting one with Peter the Anteater. Unfortunately, my phone filled up with “zot zot” messages after UCI’s victory in this year’s Big West tournament, but it is great to see a dedicated fan base embracing their mascot; that is what all major sports programs need.

“As for UCI’s chances, it looks like they are catching a big break with K-State’s best player, Dean Wade, likely out for the game (with an injury). The struggle that Big West teams face in the NCAA tournament is the heightened athleticism and size, which is not present consistently within their own conference play, so their opponent losing a long athletic player will certainly make things more manageable for UCI. But, you’re talking about facing the Big-12 championship squad led by a bunch of seniors and a coach who went to the Elite Eight last season.

“They have beaten a few top 20 teams this season, including perennial conference champion, Kansas.  UCI’s non-conference schedule results doesn’t convince me that they have the firepower to hang with a team like K-State, but that is if they were at full strength. If UCI can handle the physicality of K-State, defend as well as they have all season at the rim, and keep the pace where they want it, anything can happen.

“That is what is so great about this time of year, somebody is going to upset a higher seed, so why not them? I’m looking forward to watching the game and rooting for the Anteaters, especially since I don’t have my Titans to root for this season.”

Mike Moore, president of Moore Management:

“We love our Mascot Peter the Eater. There is nothing like a True Fan. I think UCI has a very good chance on winning this game if they defend and rebound. They can go inside and outside and have a lot of options! Concerned some with Eyassu (Worku) and John  Edgar hurt, but the bench has played well.

“The key was getting (Robert) Cartwright who has experience at a high level and is a pure point guard! Having NBA and pro players help the basketball IQ and playing hard.  Happy to see someone who won the League, finally after eight years win the tournament.

“It should be about the basketball Season and the body of work. Anyone can get hot for three days and win a tournament. Kansas State is very good and won the league, so will be favored, based on the competition they have played and last years blow out vs. UCI.”

RELATED: A UCI basketball fan makes a prediction

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

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