Pacific, UCSB Are Favorites in Big West

Pacific and UC Santa Barbara, the top men’s and women’s teams in Big West Conference basketball last season, were overwhelming choices to continue that dominance, according to writers and coaches at the conference’s media day.

Pacific, which won the men’s conference tournament, was a near unanimous choice to repeat as Western Division champions. The Tigers lost to St. Joseph’s in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season. Nevada was picked by the coaches and New Mexico State by the writers to win the Eastern Division.

Cal State Fullerton was picked fourth by the writers and fifth by the coaches. UC Irvine was picked last in both polls.

Santa Barbara, which lost to Tulane in the NCAA tournament’s first round last season, was picked to repeat as Western Division champion. Irvine, which reached the conference tournament title game, was picked second and received three first-place votes in the writers’ poll. Fullerton was picked fifth in both polls.

Nevada was picked to win the Eastern Division.