Honestly, if you were watching basketball in April 2025, you probably still haven't forgotten the absolute chaos at Hinkle Fieldhouse. It was the kind of game that reminds you why mid-major basketball is the heartbeat of the sport. We’re talking about the UC Irvine vs Chattanooga NIT Championship game—a matchup that looked like a mismatch on paper to some, but ended up being a one-point overtime thriller that basically broke the internet (or at least college basketball Reddit).
UC Irvine came in as the juggernaut. They had 32 wins. 32! That’s a program record. They were the No. 1 seed for a reason, playing with a level of efficiency that usually belongs in the Power 5. Then you had the Chattanooga Mocs. They weren't supposed to be there, according to the "experts," but they had this weird, scrappy energy that just wouldn't die.
The game ended 85-84 in favor of Chattanooga. But the score doesn't even begin to tell the story of how UC Irvine, a team that ranked third in the entire nation in free-throw percentage, somehow forgot how to shoot from the stripe when it mattered most.
The Heartbreak in Indianapolis
It was supposed to be the crowning achievement for Russell Turner’s Anteaters. They were dominant all year. When Myles Che hit a jumper with just over a minute left in overtime to put Irvine up 84-83, it felt like the trophy was headed back to Orange County. But Garrison Keeslar had other plans.
Keeslar is a name that Anteater fans will probably mutter in their sleep for years. He hit a 15-foot jumper with 11 seconds left to give Chattanooga the lead. 85-84. Irvine had one last chance—a length-of-the-floor heave that resulted in a missed shot at the buzzer.
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The irony is thick here. UC Irvine entered that game shooting over 80% as a team from the free-throw line. In the final, they went 21-for-34. That’s 61.8%. If they make just two more of those "gimme" shots, the banner hanging in the Bren Events Center looks a lot different today. It’s one of those statistical anomalies that defy logic.
Beyond the Court: A Tale of Two Cities
When people search for UC Irvine vs Chattanooga, they’re usually looking for the box score of that 2025 heartbreaker. But there’s a deeper contrast between these two schools that makes the rivalry—if we can call it that now—so fascinating. You’ve got the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) sitting in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains, and UC Irvine nestled in the tech-heavy, coastal bubble of Southern California.
- The Vibe: UTC is all about Southern charm and a tight-knit community. Professors actually know your name there.
- The Innovation: UCI is a research powerhouse. It’s where you go if you want to be at the forefront of biological sciences or computer engineering.
- The Weather: One gives you the Tennessee Riverwalk and seasonal changes; the other gives you Newport Beach and basically 75 degrees year-round.
Choosing between them isn't just about a basketball score. It's about whether you want the "California Dream" or the "Scenic City" lifestyle.
Why the Mocs Keep Winning the Head-to-Head
Here is a weird stat for you: Chattanooga is actually 4-0 all-time against UC Irvine.
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That seems impossible given how consistently good the Anteaters have been over the last decade. They met back in 1989, 1990, and 2007 before the 2025 NIT final. Every single time, the Mocs found a way to win. It’s become a bit of a "bogeyman" matchup for Irvine.
The 2025 game was the closest by far.
| Statistic | Chattanooga (UTC) | UC Irvine (UCI) |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 85 | 84 |
| Field Goal % | 36.8% | 46.8% |
| 3-Point Made | 14 | 5 |
| Free Throw % | 71.4% | 61.8% |
Look at those numbers. Irvine actually shot significantly better from the floor. They were more efficient. But Chattanooga lived and died by the three-pointer, chucking up 44 shots from deep and landing 14 of them. It was a classic "math vs. efficiency" battle, and the math won.
What This Means for the Future
If you're a fan or a student looking at these two programs, the 2025 game changed the trajectory of both. For Chattanooga, it was their first national DI title of any kind since their DII championship in 1977. It put Coach Dan Earl on the map as one of the best tacticians in the mid-major circuit.
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For UC Irvine, it was a "what if" season. They finished 32-7, the most wins in school history. Devin Tillis and Justin Hohn played out of their minds, but the NIT runner-up finish left a bitter taste.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Students
If you're following the fallout of the UC Irvine vs Chattanooga saga, here’s what you should actually do:
- Watch the Replay: If you can find the 2025 NIT final highlights on YouTube, watch the last four minutes of the second half. The lead changed 14 times. It’s a masterclass in late-game pressure.
- Check the Recruiting: Since that game, both schools have seen a spike in interest. UCI is leaning heavily into international recruiting, while UTC has become a destination for high-level transfers looking for that "moxie" the program is known for.
- Visit the Campuses: If you’re a student torn between the two, don't just look at the rankings. UCI is a massive, bustling campus with an academic intensity that is world-class. UTC offers a more personal, "outdoorsy" experience that feels less like a factory and more like a community.
The reality is that these two programs might not meet again for another decade. But the 2025 game ensured that whenever they do, it's going to be circled on the calendar. Irvine wants revenge; Chattanooga wants to keep the streak alive.
Keep an eye on the mid-major polls. Both teams are projected to be top contenders in their respective conferences (the Big West for Irvine and the SoCon for Chattanooga) through 2026. If we're lucky, we might see a rematch in the NCAA Tournament soon. That would be the ultimate rubber match—even if the history books say Chattanooga already has the upper hand.
Next Steps:
To stay ahead of the next matchup, you should track the NCAA Net Rankings for both the Big West and the Southern Conference (SoCon) starting in November. If both teams remain in the top 75, the likelihood of a high-stakes postseason rematch becomes much higher. You can also sign up for athletic department newsletters at ucirvinesports.com and gomocs.com to get early notice on non-conference scheduling for the 2026-2027 season.