Big West Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

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RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Mark Gottfried of the North Carolina State Wolfpack reacts after a three-point basket by his team during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at PNC Arena on February 24, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina won 80-68. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Last season was very competive at the top for Big West Basketball. How do the teams rank for the upcoming 2018-19 season?

After the 2017-18 season ended with CSUN posting its worst record since joining the Big West, things have only gotten worse for the Matadors. Newly Hired Head Coach Mark Gottfried has his work cut out for him, with the Matadors losing nearly all of their production from a year ago, including All-Big West Second Teamer Tavrion Dawson.

While the season may not be an improvement on last season, there is still one reason for Northridge fans to show up to games this year: 2017-18 Big West Freshman of the Year Terrell Gomez. Gomez should put up huge numbers in his sophomore season, as his supporting cast is made up almost entirely of freshmen.

Of the new additions to keep an eye on, Rodney Henderson, Darius Brown and Lamine Diane are the most exciting. Henderson is the lone JUCO transfer in CSUN’s recruiting class and could be one of the top newcomers in the Big West, after averaging 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 41.4% from deep at Santiago Canyon College. Brown, the top recruit in CSUN’s 2018 class, is a solid pass-first point guard, who could play with Gomez to help free the sophomore up as a primary scoring option. Diane, a redshirt freshman, is a do it all wing out of Findlay Prep, who could spell trouble for any player he gets up against.

While the outlook for the upcoming season is not great for the Matadors, the amount of young talent they have on the roster should help them improve moving forward.