UC Irvine plays Chattanooga in NIT matchup

Chattanooga Mocs (28-9, 16-4 SoCon) vs. UC Irvine Anteaters (32-6, 18-4 Big West)

Indianapolis; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: UC Irvine and Chattanooga play in the National Invitation Tournament.

The Anteaters have gone 18-4 against Big West teams, with a 14-2 record in non-conference play. UC Irvine ranks sixth in college basketball with 26.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Bent Leuchten averaging 6.6.

The Mocs are 16-4 in SoCon play. Chattanooga ranks fifth in the SoCon with 23.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Trey Bonham averaging 4.0.

UC Irvine averages 75.7 points per game, 3.1 more points than the 72.6 Chattanooga gives up. Chattanooga averages 9.7 made 3-pointers per game this…