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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Mar 15, 2017; Dayton, OH, USA; UC Davis Aggies forward Chima Moneke (11) celebrates victory over the North Carolina Central Eagles in the first four of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Dayton, OH, USA; UC Davis Aggies forward Chima Moneke (11) celebrates victory over the North Carolina Central Eagles in the first four of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Chima Moneke, UC Davis

The surprise of last season in the Big West was the fantastic play of UC Davis forward Chima Moneke. Moneke, a junior college transfer, had a huge season for the Aggies, leading them to their first ever NCAA Tournament.

Moneke led the Aggies in with 1.4 blocks and 9.5 rebounds per game. He was also second on the team with 14.6 points per game, shooting an efficient 52.7% from the floor.

His performance in the NCAA tournament was impressive, garnering him national media attention. In his two games, against NC Central and Kansas, Moneke averaged 19 points, 10.5 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 1.0 steals. He also shot an incredibly efficient 14-23 (60.9%) during the two game stretch.

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Heading into this season, Moneke should be the favorite to win Big West Player of the Year. It should be no surprise if Moneke leads his Aggies to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament. The Big West might not get the most national publicity, but it definitely a league worth following. It is likely to be a one-big league, but that doesn’t mean that making the Big Dance is not a huge accomplishment for that one team.