Busting Brackets
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Big West Basketball: Top 5 returning players for the 2017-2018 season

By Connor Hope

Mar 11, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; UC Davis Aggies forward Chima Moneke (11) keeps the ball away form UC Irvine Anteaters guard Jaron Martin (0) during the finals of the Big West Conference Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; UC Davis Aggies forward Chima Moneke (11) keeps the ball away form UC Irvine Anteaters guard Jaron Martin (0) during the finals of the Big West Conference Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2017; Irvine, CA, USA; Long Beach State 49ers guard Evan Payne (1) dribbles the ball against UC Irvine Anteaters guard Luke Nelson (10) during the second half of the game at Bren Events Center. The Anteaters won 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Irvine, CA, USA; Long Beach State 49ers guard Evan Payne (1) dribbles the ball against UC Irvine Anteaters guard Luke Nelson (10) during the second half of the game at Bren Events Center. The Anteaters won 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Evan Payne, Long Beach State

Another player returning for the Long Beach State 49ers is their leading scorer Evan Payne. Although his scoring totals dropped since transferring from LMU, Payne is poised for a great offensive senior season.

As players transfer from LBSU, Payne should see his minutes and shot opportunities rise back to what he saw as a Lion. If this happens, and his three point efficiency continues to improve, we could be talking about the top scorer in the conference.

Payne’s most prominent area for improvement is his ball security and defense. His assist-to-turnover ratio of .631 while not be sufficient, assuming he takes over for Justin Bibbins as the primary ball handler.

Long Beach State always seems to have a team that is on the brink of breaking into the NCAA Tournament. If they hope to make it for the first time since 2012, Payne, along with Temidayo Yussuf, will need to have a big season.