2024-25 Big West Basketball Preview
Conference Overview
Join us for our 2024-25 Big West Basketball Preview, diving into one of college basketball’s most exciting mid-major conferences on the West Coast. Last season’s conference tournament brought a thrilling story when Long Beach State triumphed despite Coach Dan Monson’s impending departure, marking their first win in the conference championship game since 2012. This season, the Big West will feature highly competitive teams aiming to replicate Long Beach State’s success.
At the top is UC Santa Barbara, looking to bounce back after a disappointing season with a revamped lineup, bringing in scoring talents Stephan Swenson and Deuce Turner alongside frontcourt reinforcements Colin Smith and Kenny Pohto.
UC Irvine, after an impressive 17-3 conference record last season, brings back a solid group of returners, and big man Bent Leuchten is expected to contend for Player of the Year. UC San Diego, led by potential All-Conference First Team standout Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, pairs two returners with Division II transfers who both averaged around 20 points per game, making them a powerful offensive threat.
UC Davis, despite losing Elijah Pepper, has a top addition in Pepperdine transfer Nils Cooper, a 2023 top-75 recruit, who will pair with prolific scorer Ty Johnson, creating a potent scoring duo. Cal State Northridge brought in a former top 2023 recruit of their own, Marcus Adams Jr., from BYU, along with Washington transfer PJ Fuller, who brings starting experience from a Power 5 conference.
UC Riverside is also set to build on last season’s promising results with a strong returning group. Hawaii will lean on returning guards and welcome in three impactful transfers from various collegiate levels.
Cal State Bakersfield features a JUCO backcourt pairing of Jemel Jones, who averaged over 30 points per game, and JUCO top prospect, CJ Hardy from West LA CC. Following last year’s Cinderella run, Long Beach State has reloaded with transfers, including former Power 5 starter Devin Askew and a mix of new talents who will be crucial to their success.
Cal State Fullerton is expected to start a freshman at point guard, pairing him with a core of returning players taking on expanded roles. Cal Poly, aiming for a fresh start after last year’s 0-20 conference record, welcomes a new coach, philosophy, and three projected Division II starters.
With a deep roster of transfers and breakout potential, our 2024-25 Big West Basketball Preview highlights a season filled with thrilling matchups, rising stars, and intense competition, setting up an exciting season.
Big West Basketball Preview: Projected Standings
- UC Santa Barbara
- UC Irvine
- UC San Diego
- UC Davis
- Cal State Northridge
- UC Riverside
- Hawaii
- Cal State Bakersfield
- Long Beach State
- Cal State Fullerton
- Cal Poly
Big West Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners
Player of the Year: Bent Leuchten, UC Irvine
Defensive Player of the Year: Keonte Jones, Cal State Northridge
Newcomer of the Year: Stephan Swenson, UC Santa Barbara
Freshman of the Year: Zion Sensley, UC Santa Barbara
Coach of the Year: Joe Pasternack, UC Santa Barbara
Big West Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team
Stephan Swenson, UC Santa Barbara
Ty Johnson, UC Davis
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, UC San Diego
Kenny Pohto, UC Santa Barbara
Bent Leuchten, UC Irvine
Cal Poly Mustangs
Projected Starters:
PG: Jarred Hyder (10.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 apg)
SG: Owen Koonce (13.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.8 apg @ D2 Colorado Mesa)
SF: Mac Riniker (14.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.4 apg @ D2 Colorado Mesa)
PF: Kieran Elliott (12.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.7 apg @ D2 West Texas A&M)
C: Paul Bizimana (3.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.4 apg)
6M: Aaron Price, Jr. (3.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.4 apg)
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
Projected Starters:
PG: Kadar Waller (6.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg @ Mississippi Valley State) *2022-2023 Stats*
SG: Jemel Jones (33.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 5.6 apg @ JUCO South Suburban College)
SF: CJ Hardy (20.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.0 apg @ West LA CC)
PF: Tom Mark (5.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.8 apg)
C: Shakir Odunewu (16.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 0.8 apg @ West Valley CC)
6M: Marvin McGhee III (8.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.8 apg)
Cal State Fullerton Titans
Projected Starters:
PG: LoLo Rudolph (FR)
SG: Donovan Oday (7.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.7 apg)
SF: Freddie Cooper (13.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.3 apg @ JUCO Moberly Area CC)
PF: John Mikey Square (4.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.6 apg)
C: Kendrick DeLuna (1.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.1 apg)
6M: Zion Richardson (17.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.8 apg @ D2 Quincy)
Cal State Northridge Matadors
Projected Starters:
PG: Jordan Brinson (8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg)
SG: PJ Fuller II (6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.5 apg @ Washington) *2022-2023 Stats*
SF: Judson Martindale (9.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Pacific)
PF: Keonte Jones (11.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.2 apg)
C: Marcus Adams, Jr. (2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg @ BYU) *1 Game*
6M: Scotty Washington (8.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.5 apg @ California Baptist)
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Projected Starters:
PG: Marcus Greene (15.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.0 apg @ Houston Christian)
SG: Tom Beattie (3.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.0 apg)
SF: Ryan Rapp (3.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg)
PF: Gytis Nemeiksa (5.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.9 apg @ Xavier)
C: Tanner Christensen (11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.0 apg @ Utah Tech)
6M: Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (FR)
Long Beach State Beach
Projected Starters:
PG: Devin Askew (6.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg @ California)
SG: TJ Wainwright (10.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.4 apg @ Robert Morris)
SF: Ramel Lloyd, Jr. (R-FR @ Nebraska)
PF: Cam Denson (8.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.0 apg @ Pacific)
C: Derrick Michael Xzavierro (1.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Grand Canyon)
6M: Cory Curtis, Jr. (23.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.3 apg @ JUCO Independence CC)
UC Davis Aggies
Projected Starters:
PG: Leo DeBruhl (5.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)
SG: Ty Johnson (17.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apg)
SF: Nils Cooper (5.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.9 apg @ Pepperdine)
PF: Marsalis Roberson (1.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.7 apg @ California) *2022-2023 Stats*
C: Niko Rocak (5.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.9 apg)
6M: Carl Daughtery, Jr. (9.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Central Arkansas)
UC Irvine Anteaters
Projected Starters:
PG: Myles Che (7.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 apg @ Chattanooga)
SG: Justin Hohn (12.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.5 apg)
SF: Andre Henry (10.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.9 apg)
PF: Devin Tellis (9.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)
C: Bent Leuchten (9.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.7 apg)
6M: Ofure Ujadughele (1.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.9 apg)
UC Riverside Highlanders
Projected Starters:
PG: Barrington Hargress (12.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.5 apg)
SG: Isaiah Moses (12.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.8 apg)
SF: Nate Pickens (9.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 apg)
PF: Kaleb Smith (7.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.4 apg)
C: Joel Armotrading (5.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Cal Poly)
6M: Jack Whitbourn (FR)
UC San Diego Tritons
Projected Starters:
PG: Hayden Gray (9.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.8 apg)
SG: Tyler McGhie (13.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.3 apg)
SF: Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (13.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 apg)
PF: Milos Vicentic (21.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.9 apg @ D2 McKendree)
C: Nordin Kapic (19.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.1 apg @ D2 Lynn)
6M: Chris Howell (1.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.7 apg @ Saint Mary’s)
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Projected Starters:
PG: Stephan Swenson (13.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.8 apg @ Stetson)
SG: Deuce Turner (15.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 apg @ San Diego)
SF: Cole Anderson (10.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.1 apg)
PF: Colin Smith (7.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Vanderbilt)
C: Kenny Pohto (8.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Wichita State)
6M: Max Murrell (2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.6 apg @ Stanford)
Coming Next
Thank you for reading the 2024-25 Big West Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the CAA. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!
- America East Conference Preview
- American Athletic Conference Preview
- ACC Conference Preview
- ASUN Conference Preview
- A10 Conference Preview
- Big East Conference Preview
- Big Sky Conference Preview
- Big South Conference Preview
- Big Ten Conference Preview
- Big 12 Conference Preview
Cover Image: Photo Credit: Big West Conference
