Big West Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview, predictions

Mar 14, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; UC Irvine Anteaters guard Robert Cartwright (3) drives to the basket between UC Riverside Highlanders center Menno Dijkstra (right) and UC Riverside Highlanders guard Dragan Elkaz (0) during the second half in the Big West conference tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

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UC Irvine Anteaters head coach Russell Turner Big West Basketball tournament Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Bracketology

The NCAA is top-heavy with some of the biggest conferences being loaded making it more difficult for mid-major conferences to receive two bids. This year, the expectation is the only Big West team to make the tournament will be their automatic bid; the conference champion. Championship week will bring us more clarity, but nothing will change for the Big West Conference. Big West teams have been known to make a little noise in March Madness by winning a surprising 21 of 54 March Madness games.

First Round

#8 Cal State Northridge versus #9 Long Beach State

While playing a minimal schedule due to COVID, Long Beach State has not had much practice compared to other conference opponents. This should leave them with fresh legs. Despite losing their last four games of the season, the 49ers will pull off the upset.

PREDICTION: LONG BEACH STATE 68, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 65

#7 Cal State Fullerton versus #10 Cal Poly

Nothing to see here, folks. Despite being close in the seedings, the talent level is not nearly the same. Cal Poly has been atrocious all year and is currently playing for respect. This will be a tune-up game for Cal State Fullerton before they run into the buzzsaw that is UC Irvine.

PREDICTION: CAL STATE FULLERTON 73, CAL POLY 61