Busting Brackets
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Big West Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season

By Connor Hope

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters celebrates a three-point shot with Max Hazzard #2 in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters celebrates a three-point shot with Max Hazzard #2 in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters handles the ball against Ehab Amin #4 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters handles the ball against Ehab Amin #4 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Big West Basketball seems to finally be back with three to four teams all having legitimate conference championship aspirations. What can we expect when the season tips off today?

After several seasons with exciting teams that fell short in the tournament, Big West Basketball finally broke through for a win when the UC Irvine Anteaters upended the Kansas State Wildcats. This season there are multiple teams looking to repeat the Anteaters success.

There is a ton of talent in this Big West conference, and college basketball fans will want to watch these games. So let’s take a look at how the Big West could end up shaking out.

9) Cal Poly Mustang

This should really come as a surprise to anyone who has followed the Big West over the last few years. The program finally got rid of Head Coach Joe Callero after a decade of mostly below average to terrible seasons and hired former Cal State Fullerton assistant John Smith to replace him.

While Smith will likely bring a strong culture and game plan to the Mustangs, the defensive-minded coach does not have the offensive talent to compete right away. Mark Crowe returns for his junior season, while transfers Keith Smith, Malek Harwell, and Nolan Taylor will likely be leaned on early for their scoring.

None of these players, however, is likely to have the breakout season necessary to make Smith look like a home run hire right away. If Smith aims to be successful, his goal should be on building and developing a consistent program and recruiting stream, something with which the athletic department will most likely have patience.