LA JOLLA, Calif. – The UC San Diego men's basketball team has announced three exciting home games to open the 2022-23 season – including a UC rivalry contest against Cal at RIMAC Arena on Nov. 15. The Tritons will open their season on Nov. 7 vs. Seattle U and will take on Sacramento State Nov. 12.

The early season games mark return appearances for three UC San Diego opponents that hosted UC San Diego in 2021. The contest against Cal will serve as a replacement for the Tritons' highly-anticipated Division I opener in 2020 that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are excited about next season," said UC San Diego head coach Eric Olen. "Our schedule is still a work in progress but opening the season with three home games against really good teams is a terrific opportunity for our fans to help us get off to great start. The atmosphere at RIMAC Arena last year was a lot of fun and we are looking forward to an even bigger home court advantage in November."

The Tritons and Golden Bears have met five times previously with the Tritons winning the only matchup between the two schools as Division I institutions – an 80-67 UC San Diego victory in last year's season opener from Berkeley.
 
The Nov. 12 contest against Sacramento State will serve as a signature event during the department's annual Triton Weekend, a celebration of Triton athletics that welcomes former scholar-athletes to campus for a variety of activities.  The Nov. 7 game against Seattle U will be one of the earliest season openers in program history.
 
Current season ticketholder renewals were mailed out last month and the Triton Box Office has reported a robust renewal rate for the upcoming season. New UC San Diego men's basketball season tickets will go on sale in mid-June via UCSDTritons.com/tickets.
 
With a high student ticket demand expected, purchasing season tickets will be the only way to ensure access to the Cal game and every home game next season. All UC San Diego home men's and women's basketball games are broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
In addition to scheduled contests against the Redhawks, Hornets and Golden Bears, a slew of UC San Diego home games will be announced as they are confirmed. The full Big West slate will be finalized at a later date. 2022-23 is expected to mark the first time that all 10 Big West foes will play a game at RIMAC Arena.
 
The Tritons concluded their 2021-22 season with a record of 13-16 overall and 7-11 vs. Big West opponents. In its final home game, UC San Diego downed eventual Big West champion Cal State Fullerton, 81-76. The sharp-shooting Tritons led the Big West in three-point field goal percentage as well as made three-pointers last season.
 
2021-22 marked the second year of the NCAA-mandated four-year transition period toward full Division I membership. The Tritons concluded their Division II era in 2019-20 with a sparkling 30-1 record and the top seed in the NCAA Division II West Region before the postseason was canceled due to the onset of the pandemic.
 
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 has begun a new era 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 II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.