LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego head coach Eric Olen has announced the Tritons' 2021-22 men's basketball schedule. The challenging non-conference slate features contests against Cal and San Diego State as well as four home games at RIMAC Arena.
 
"This year's schedule will be a challenge, but that's what we're looking for with our first full Division I schedule," said Olen. "We are fired up to get started."
 
The Tritons begin their second season of Division I competition on Nov. 9, when they travel to the Bay Area to face Cal. Four days later, on Nov. 13, UC San Diego plays its first home game at RIMAC Arena when George Washington comes to La Jolla.
 
"We will find out where we are right from the start with the tough opener at Cal, which is a great opportunity," Olen added. "We are looking forward to the opportunity to play at home in front of fans and are hoping to get to experience that this season. Our campus community and students have not had the opportunity to feel the excitement of Division I men's basketball yet. Our players and coaches are excited to play in front of the Triton Tide and showcase our home court advantage in RIMAC Arena."
 
After hosting San Diego Christian on Nov. 16, the Tritons head back out on the road to play at Sacramento State (Nov. 20) and take part in a three-day Thanksgiving tournament hosted by Montana (Nov. 24-26).
 
UC San Diego is back home to host Eastern Michigan on Dec. 2. The Tritons play at Seattle on Dec. 12 and at Denver on Dec. 15. UC San Diego hosts Caltech on Dec. 18 before closing out non-conference play on Dec. 22 with a game at cross-town foe San Diego State.
 
Big West Conference play begins on December 30, when the Tritons host defending conference champion UC Santa Barbara. Two days later, UC San Diego rings in the New Year by hosting CSUN. The following week, a four-game conference road trip commences, taking the Tritons to UC Riverside (Jan. 6), UC Davis (Jan. 8), UC Irvine (Jan. 11) and Hawai'i (Jan. 15).
 
UC San Diego returns home to host Long Beach State (Jan. 20) before visiting Cal State Fullerton (Jan. 22). The first half of Big West play concludes with home dates against Cal Poly (Jan. 27) and CSU Bakersfield (Jan. 29).
 
The Tritons open the month of February with a trip to CSUN (Feb. 3) and UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 5). After that weekend, the squad returns to RIMAC Arena for five of its final six games of the month. UC San Diego welcomes UC Davis (Feb. 10), UC Riverside (Feb. 12), UC Irvine (Feb. 15), Hawai'i (Feb. 17) and Cal State Fullerton (Feb. 26). UC San Diego's lone road game during that stretch is a trip to Long Beach State on Feb. 24.
 
The Tritons wrap up their season with games at CSU Bakersfield (March 3) and Cal Poly (March 5).
 
"Last year we played most of the Big West opponents and got an idea of what we're in for," Olen said. "This is a great league full of terrific players and great coaches. We are excited for the full experience of a true home-and-away schedule."

Entering its second season as a Division I program, UC San Diego will need to replace four from a squad that compiled a 7-10 overall record last year – earning victories against three of the six Big West Conference opponents they faced. The Tritons welcome eight newcomers to the program, including three Division I transfers as well as five freshmen.
 
For the first time, all UC San Diego home games will be broadcast live on ESPN+. To subscribe to ESPN+ or learn more, click here.

UC San Diego basketball season tickets will go on sale September 8. For more ticket information, click on the link above. 
  
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I.  The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions III and II and helped guide more than 1,300 scholar-athletes to All-America honors.  A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships.  UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.