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3w ago

UC Irvine and Chattanooga Face Off in NIT Championship Game

The Anteaters' elite defense meets the Mocs' high-powered offense in a battle for their first NIT title at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: Chattanooga Mocs players celebrate the team's victory after the championship game against the UC Irvine Anteaters in the 2025 Men's National Invitation Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on April 3, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Doug McSchooler/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Chattanooga head coach Dan Earl cuts down a piece of the net after the championship game.
Bent Leuchten #15 of the UC Irvine Anteaters secures a rebound against Mac Riniker #2 and Owen Koonce #11 of the Cal Poly Mustangs in the second half of a semifinal game of the Big West men’s basketball tournament at Lee's Family Forum on March 14, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada.
UC Irvine guard Torian Lee, center, drives past Cal State Northridge guard Tyler Beard, left, and forward Grady Lewis, right, during a Big West Conference game earlier this season at UCI’s Bren Events Center. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Overview

  • UC Irvine, a No. 1 seed, enters the NIT championship game with a school-record 32 wins, showcasing resilience and defensive strength throughout the tournament.
  • Chattanooga, an unseeded team, has made an impressive underdog run, defeating higher-seeded opponents, including a triple-overtime victory over Middle Tennessee.
  • The matchup highlights a clash of styles, with UC Irvine's defense holding opponents to 39.4% shooting and Chattanooga averaging 79.6 points per game with efficient guard play.
  • Key players include UC Irvine's 7-foot center Bent Leuchten and senior forward Devin Tillis, while Chattanooga relies on guards Honor Huff and Trey Bonham, who have excelled in the postseason.
  • The game, emphasizing the evolving mid-major focus of the NIT, will be broadcast nationally on ESPN at 9 PM ET, marking a milestone for both programs.