It has been exactly one year since the Big West provided a remarkable story for the NCAA Tournament.
One year ago today on March 11, Long Beach State agreed to part ways with its longtime head coach, Dan Monson, after a 10-10 regular season record. In the weeks following, the Beach went on a miraculous run through the conference tournament, punching their ticket to the dance.
They fell to Arizona in the first round, however, the stage is set for another intriguing storyline this season. The Big West can send two teams to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 19 years.
Let’s take a look at how one team has separated itself from the pack…
The favorite: UC San Diego
For Gen Z, this conference tournament should provide some needed relief: We were born too late to explore the world, too early to explore space, but just in time to watch 2024-2025 UC San Diego.
This is one of the best stories in college basketball this season. As a part of its transition to Division I, the Tritons have been ineligible for postseason play since it made the jump in 2020.
However, 12th-year head coach Eric Olen has steadily molded them into contenders. Following a 21-12 season, he has put everything together, finishing 18-2 in conference, enough to secure their first regular-season title.
If things fall their way, UC San Diego could receive an at-large bid even if it doesn’t win the conference tournament. This sets the Big West up to potentially send two teams to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.
Ranking 39th in the country in KenPom, the Tritons have won in many different ways. Defensively, they rank 34th, while they have scored 100 points three times throughout the season.
They do an incredible job in the turnover department. In 31 of their 32 games, they have won the turnover battle, with an overall margin of +7.7.
They are led in scoring by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones at 19.7 points per game. Sharpshooter Tyler McGhie averages 3.5 3-pointers made per game and nearly 17 points.
UC San Diego is the team to beat, coming into the tournament on a 13-game winning streak. Let’s take a look at some of the challengers.
UC Irvine
Another team that ranks as one of the best mid-majors, Irvine split its games against UC San Diego this year. In 2024, they were the favorites following a regular season title; however, they were upset by the Cinderella story of Long Beach State in the semifinals.
The Anteaters were warriors away from home, setting a school record in road wins with 14, a part of their 17-3 record in conference. They have a combined 17 wins away from Irvine (this includes neutral-site contests), which ranks first in the nation.
As the two-seed, Irvine ranks third in the conference in rebounding margin. The Anteaters’ leading scorer and rebounder, Bent Leuchten, has recorded a Big West-leading 16 double-doubles and averages 15.4 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Other contenders: Cal State Northridge, UC Riverside
Cal State Northridge wrapped up its first 20-win season (14-6 in conference) since 2008 on Saturday with a win over Hawai’i. It did so by flexing its third-ranked offensive muscles, dropping 82 on the Rainbow Warriors.
The Matadors are led by forward Keonte Jones, who led the conference in rebounds at 9.1 rebounds per game. If the Matadors want to make their first NCAA Tournament since 2009, they will have to rely on him to carry the load.
Meanwhile, UC Riverside is still seeking its maiden voyage into the national tournament. Since moving to Division I in 2001, the most wins the Highlanders have had in a single season is 17. That is, until this year.
Riverside went 21-11, including wins over the top dogs in the conference. They are a legitimate threat to win this tournament, led by Barrington Hargress, who ranks second in the Big West in scoring with 20.6 PPG.
Head coach Mike Magpayo, the former CEO of a multi-million dollar real estate firm in Southern California, is in his third year at the helm. He has bounced back after a sub-.500 season last year and is aiming to make Highlanders history.
The others: UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, Cal Poly and Cal State Bakersfield
UC Santa Barbara has been there and done that. They won this tournament twice in the last four years but have been middling the past two, finishing 11-9 in league play this year. The Gauchos have lost significant production during those two years and head coach Joe Pasternack has struggled to replace it.
However, with their winning culture, they could be a threat going forward.
Next up is UC Davis, our Big West darkhorse. The Aggies are led by conference player of the year candidate Ty Johnson, who led the league in scoring despite the team’s mediocre 9-11 conference record.
Still, they will have to figure out major rebounding issues, a department they rank last in. But with a player like Washington, anything is possible if he gets hot at the right time.
Cal Poly enters the tournament as the 7-seed (8-12 in Big West play) but has experienced a turnaround as of late. The Mustangs won four of their last five games, including a 112-point outburst against Riverside.
This is another team that struggled with rebounding. They finished with a -3 rebounding margin, which ranked second-to-last. If they stay hot, the Mustangs could overcome this to qualify for their first NCAA Tournament since 2014.
The 8-12 Cal State Bakersfield is fun. They can score as well as anyone in the Big West, but are one of the worst defenses. Their losses are defined by poor shooting performances. Their wins can leave opponents asking themselves, “what more can we possibly do?”
Jemel Jones leads the Roadrunners in scoring at 19.1 PPG while ranking tenth in the league in field goal percentage.
Overall, the Big West boasts some of the best storylines in the country. Will UC San Diego play into mid-March in its first year eligible for postseason play? Can UC Irvine avenge its devastating loss as favorites a year ago? Or will someone else take the crown from the favorites?
The tournament tips off at 8 p.m. CST from Las Vegas on Wednesday night.