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BIG WEST MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:
- UC Irvine
- UC Santa Barbara
- UC San Diego
- UC Riverside
- UC Davis
- Cal State Northridge
- Hawaii
- Long Beach State
- Cal State Bakersfield
- Cal State Fullteron
- Cal Poly
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-BIG WEST TEAM:
-Barrington Hargress – SO, G – UC Riverside
-Justin Hohn – SR, G – UC Irvine
-Ty Johnson – SR, G – UC Davis
-Keonte Jones – SR, F – Cal State Northridge
-Stephan Swenson – SR, G – UC Santa Barbara
-Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones – SR, G/F – UC San Diego
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COMMENTS FROM DAVID:
-UC Irvine was the 1st place finisher a year ago, but failed to make the NCAA Tournament after losing in the quarterfinals of the Big West Tournament. Still, they were pretty clearly the best overall team, and with four starters back there is every reason in the world to think they will once again win the league. They are led by Justin Hohn out on the perimeter, and Andre Henry is an excellent outside shooter who will also be a big contributor. This is a fun team to watch, and if anyone in the conference is going to make a run at the bubble it will be the Eaters.
-I am a little surprised to see UCSB as high as 2nd in the poll. They’ve had some great seasons in recent years, but last year was not one of them and they return just two key players. Having said that, injuries did impact them a year ago and just being healthy this year should result in more wins. They also add two key transfers in Stephan Swenson (Stetson) and Deuce Turner (San Diego) who should be able to contribute. I do think the Gauchos will be better this year. I am just unsure if they will be THIS much better.
-UC San Diego won 21 games last year, and was a very impressive 15-5 in Big West play, which placed them 2nd in the conference. More good news for UCSD is that they have completed their transition and are now eligible for the NCAA Tournament. Only two starters return from last year’s team, but Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones and Tyler McGhie are both standout players. McGhie in particular is a very good outside shooter, so there is reason to be excited in San Diego this year!
-UC Riverside is a team to watch this season. They were very strong in the second half of conference play a year ago going 7-2 in their last 9 regular season games, and with four starters back there is reason to think that momentum will carry through into this year. This is a program without a rich history, but they have been getting noticeably better in recent years and may be poised for a breakout season this year. Mike Magpayo has done an outstanding job as head coach, and with the experience and balance they have coming back I think they can make quite a bit of noise in this league.
-UC Davis is coming off a 20 win season where they finished 3rd overall in the conference, but they are having to replace three starters from that team, so we could see a bit of a setback. I think Jim Les is a fantastic coach who has done a great job the last two years. Ty Johnson gives them a lot of talent and experience out on the perimeter, and with the addition of some key transfers, as well as some guys that can step into new roles, UC Davis will likely be competitive again this year.
-Cal State Northridge won 19 games last year, which was by far their best season in quite some time. Coach Andy Newman did a great job in his first year, and will look to build on that this year. He is tasked with replacing three starters, but with Keonte Jones back, as well as some good looking transfers, it seems like CSUN is turning the corner and can continue that improvement this year.
-Hawaii has won 20+ games the last two years, but with only one starter returning the Rainbow Warriors are probably in a rebuild-mode. Marcus Greene had a fantastic season at Houston Christian last year, and he should be able to give them a boost, but I do not know if they have the depth to contend for a spot at or near the top of the standings this year.
-After a blah season where they were just 10-10 in conference play, Long Beach State ended up winning the Big West Tournament and earning the automatic bid to the NCAAs. It was a great way for Dan Monson to go out as head coach. Chris Acker takes over this year and he has his work cut out for him. He needs to replace all five starters and has gone into the portal and JUCO ranks to try and put some pieces together.
-Cal State Bakersfield was an unspectacular 9th in the conference last year, which is where they are picked to finish again last year. There is perhaps some reason for hope as four starters from that team are back, and they were showing a few signs of life down the stretch. They also add one of the top JUCO players in the country from last season in Jemel Jones, so we could see some improvements from Bakersfield this year.
-Cal State Fullerton looks to rebuild after a frustrating season last year. They have undergone a roster overhaul as just one starter is back and will be depending on a mix of transfers from lower divisions as well as returning players who will need to take on bigger roles this year.
-Cal Poly won just 4 total games a year ago, lost all 20 conference games, and was just terrible all around. Their expectations are not all that much higher this year.