Big West basketball is better than ever.
It’s always one of the most fun conference tournaments to watch every year. If you are not watching Big West basketball at midnight on Thursday during champ week, are you really a college basketball fan?
The Big West is always evolving. Last year’s shocking winner, Long Beach State, failed to qualify for the tournament this season. The outright regular-season champion UC San Diego is the favorite. If Tritons pull off the win, they could get as high as a 10 seed. If they fall in the championship game, a #2bidBigWest would come into play.
Let’s preview all the fun we are going to have in Henderson, Nev.
A brief snapshot of each team:
1. UC San Diego (18-2 Big West, 28-4 overall)
The Tritons come into Vegas on a 13-game winning streak as Big West Player of the Year Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones leads the team with 19.7 points per game. UCSD ranks 39th in Ken Pom and 36th in the NET.
2. UC Irvine (17-3 Big West, 27-5 overall)
The Anteaters lead the conference in defensive field goal percentage holding opponents to 39% shooting. UC Irvine is looking to avenge early tournament losses and advance to NCAA Tournament for the third time in Russell Turner’s tenure.
3. UC Riverside: (14-6 Big West, 22-11 overall)
If the Highlanders win the Big West Tournament, Mike Magpayo would be the first coach of Asian decent to coach in the NCAA Tournament.
4. CSUN (14-6 Big West, 22-9 overall)
The Matadors earned a top-four seed for the first time in 15 years.
5. UC Santa Barbara (11-9 Big West, 19-12 overall)
Senior guard Stephan Swenson (13.0 ppg) hit two buzzer-beater threes to give the Gauchos last-second win against UC Riverside and Cal Poly.
6. UC Davis (9-11 Big West, 15-16 overall)
Senior guard Ty Johnson leads the conference with 21.2 points per game, which is sixth most in the nation.
7. Cal Poly (8-12 Big west, 14-18 overall)
The Mustangs finished the conference season winning six out of their last nine games. Cal Poly won eight conference games after going winless in 2023-2024.
8. CSU Bakersfield (8-12 Big west, 14-18 overall)
The Roadrunners rank second in the conference in 3-point percentage (38.3%).
