Busting Brackets
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 22: Head coach Dan Monson of the Long Beach State 49ers gestures during the first half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 22, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats beat the Long Beach State 49ers 85-70. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 22: Head coach Dan Monson of the Long Beach State 49ers gestures during the first half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 22, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats beat the Long Beach State 49ers 85-70. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

8) Long Beach State

Dan Monson has always been one of the most respected coaches in the Big West, finishing with just one losing Big West season in his 12 seasons with the Beach program. This season, however, may be Monson’s most difficult coaching job since that 2007-08 season.

If last season’s storyline was trusting a returning core to improve, this season will test Monson’s ability to make the most out of a bare cupboard. It would be false to claim that Long Beach State has no talent, with a relatively strong recruiting class and Tulane transfer Colin Slater entering the mix. But Jordan Roberts is the only player that can be trusted to produce at a high level right now, and that does not bode well for the team.

This roster has the talent to compete for a top-half finish in the Big West, but their floor is so overwhelmingly low, that it doesn’t seem right to move them over the other teams.

7) UC Riverside Highlanders

To be honest, a lot of my high expectations for the Highlanders hinges on Khy Kabellis’ return to a conference where his ability to score can come through. After spending a disappointing season with Pacific, the former North Dakota State guard will play his final season in Riverside.

Kabellis will join the returning core of Dragan Elkaz, Zac Watson, Callum McRae and Dikymbe Martin as will as well as UTSA transfer George Willborn to form a competitive top six. If they can get Dominick Pickett, Zyon Pullin or Arinze Chidom to become difference makers during conference play, the Highlanders should surprise a few people.

I can’t fault fans for doubting the team, which has had a losing record in all but one season since joining the Big West, but David Patrick seems to have this team moving in the right direction. If they can get more offense from their key players, they should be more competitive than in years past.