Big West

Select Conference Select Team

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Cal State Fullerton (20–10, 9–5)

The Titans are hoping junior Greg “Junior” Russell, a 5-foot-6 point guard who was released from his commitment to Long Beach State after coach Larry Reynolds was not retained, will take the reins from graduated star Bobby Brown (20.2 ppg). Coach Bob Burton has few other questions and plenty of firepower. Senior Scott Cutley (15.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg), a 6-5 forward, delivered after transferring from Kent State, and senior swingman Frank Robinson contributed 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. Junior guard Marcus Crenshaw (11.4 ppg) was the Big West Sixth Man of the Year, and junior guard Josh Akognon gives the Titans a deep threat after scoring 10.3 points per game for Washington State two seasons ago. The center figures to be Eddie Lima, a 6-9, 280-pound junior college transfer who grew up in Brazil.

UC Santa Barbara (18–11, 9–5)

Few players in the country were more improved a year ago than guard Alex Harris, who went from scoring 8.3 ppg as a sophomore to a league-leading 21.1. Harris, steady from start to finish, shot 46 percent from three-point range and led the Big West in minutes per game. It helped him that point guard Justin Joyner played so capably, starting 26 times and earning a spot on the Big West all-freshman team alongside teammate James Powell (8.8 ppg). Those three again will start in the backcourt, with junior college transfer D.J. Posley providing a defensive mentality off the bench. Chris Devine (14.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg) will start at power forward, flanked by center Nedim Pajevic, a transfer from Weber State and native of Bosnia.

Cal Poly (19–11, 9–5)

The guard-driven Mustangs, coming off their most successful season in 13 years as a Division I program, hope to build off that momentum. They were 12–2 at home, won eight of their final nine games, and held the lead against Long Beach State before losing in the Big West tournament final. They must overcome the loss of versatile senior Derek Stockalper, but there is good depth and growing experience. Senior guard Dawin Whiten (11.6 ppg) and junior guard Trae Clark (9.1 ppg, 3.7 apg) were steady all season, but Cal Poly has big hopes for junior Chaz Thomas, who scored a career-high 31 points in the season-ending loss to Long Beach State. Up front is Titus Shelton (8.7 ppg), a 6-foot-7 junior forward and the son of former NBA standout Lonnie Shelton.

UC Irvine (15–18, 6–8)

Picked as a title contender a year ago, the Anteaters hope to rebound from that disappointment as a dark horse this season. Key players include senior forward Patrick Sanders (11.9 ppg), who led the Big West with 51 blocked shots, and senior center Darren Fells (10.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg). Point guard Michael Hunter (6.8 ppg) started the final 17 games last season and was named to one freshman All-America team. Kevin Bland, a 6-foot-8, 235-pound junior who averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds in junior college two years ago, figures in the mix after missing last year with a broken collarbone.

Pacific (12–19, 5–9)

The Tigers stumbled last season after a three-year run in which they compiled a 76–20 record. They should make a move upward this year, led by 6-foot-7 junior forward Anthony Brown (14.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and junior point guard Staffan Johnson (9.7 ppg, 3.6 apg). Five newcomers will augment the roster, plus junior guard Chad Troyer, who sat out last year after transferring from Miami (Ohio). The best of three junior college arrivals is junior forward Michael Nunnally, who averaged 18.5 points and 12.1 rebounds as the California state juco co-player of the year at Delta College.

Long Beach State (24–8, 12–2)

To suggest the cupboard was left bare for new coach Dan Monson is a serious understatement. Junior guard Artis Gant, who averaged 1.9 points a year ago, is the top returning scorer on a team that lost four senior starters who combined to provide 60 ppg. Monson replaces Larry Reynolds, who was fired after five seasons despite guiding the 49ers to the NCAA tournament. Monson, who arrived from Minnesota, will reload with junior college transfers, led by 6-foot-10, 230-pound center Brian Freeman, who averaged 18.1 points and 14.4 rebounds at Clackamas (Ore.) College, and 6-8 forward Brandon Johnson, who logged 16.9 points and 5.0 boards at Lamar (Colo.) College. Three-point shooting, a staple in recent years, is a question mark.

Cal State Northridge (14–17, 5–9)

The Matadors hope to get off to a good start after losing their final three games last season by 16 points or more. Seniors Jonathan Heard (13.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), a 6-foot-6 wing forward, and 6-8 forward Calvin Chitwood (13.2 ppg) will lead the way. Chitwood averaged 18 points over the final six games. Also returning is junior guard Rob Haynes (8.5 ppg). Northridge signed six newcomers, including five from the junior college ranks. Expected to contribute early are forward Jermaine Smith and point guard Paul Wayne, who helped College of Southern Idaho to a 30–7 record.

UC Davis (5–23)

The Aggies become full-fledged members of the Big West after transitioning into Division I. Eight lettermen, including four starters, return, led by junior guard Vince Oliver (12.7 ppg). The Aggies expect a leap forward from sophomore forward Dominic Calegari (6.1 ppg, 3.1 ppg). The top newcomer is Adam Malik, a 6-foot-8 wing who averaged 24.2 points in high school and was California’s Division III AA co-player of the year. Davis, 1–14 on the road last year, must improve its rebounding (minus-6.0) and turnovers (17.9 per game).

UC Riverside (7–24, 1–13)

New coach Jim Wooldridge arrives to a team without much talent and even less support. Riverside averaged a conference-low 736 fans for its 12 home games last year. The top returning player is senior guard Larry Cunningham (13.7 ppg), but the roster took an offseason hit when forward Henrik Thomsen, the Big West freshman of the year, returned to his native Denmark to sign with a pro team.