No. 1 Long Beach State (22-7, 12-2) – Unlike last year, when LBSU was the underdog going into the Big West Tournament, the 49ers are the clear-cut favorites in 2007. LBSU won the conference by three games, were 6-0 against the second, third and fourth-place teams and have not lost a conference game since late January.
No. 2 Cal Poly (18-10, 9-5) – No team is going into the Big West Tournament with a longer winning streak than the Mustangs. Cal Poly won its last seven games and stormed up to take the No. 2 spot in the conference away from UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton. The Mustangs might have the best all-around player in the conference in Derek Stockalper. He is eighth in the conference in scoring, averaging 14.1 points per game, and is second in rebounding, with 8.1 per game.- Against LBSU: LBSU W 77-70 (@ LBSU), LBSU W 80-77 (@ CP).
No. 3 Cal State Fullerton (19-9, 9-5) – The Titans have limped across the finish line, losing four of their last five games, including an embarrassing 77-68 loss to UC Davis on Saturday. Fullerton will rely heavily on its leading scorer and first-team Big West selection Bobby Brown. The 6-foot-2-inch guard was second in the conference in scoring, averaging 20.2 per game. What might lead to the Titans demise is their defense, which ranks last in conference. Against LBSU: LBSU W 95-85 (@ LBSU), LBSU W 94-84 (@ CSF).
No. 4 UC Santa Barbara (18-10, 9-5) – The Gauchos have recovered from a four-game losing streak in February to win their last three games going into the conference tournament. What might be a red flag for UC Santa Barbara fans is that the Gauchos are 1-5 against the top three seeds in the tournament. UC Santa Barbara has the Big West leading scorer in point guard Alex Harris. The 6-foot-6-inch junior guard has scored 27, 35, 25, 22 and 25 points in UC Santa Barbara’s last five games. Against LBSU: LBSU W 101-65 (@ LBSU), LBSU W 68-67 (@ UCSB).
No. 5 UC Irvine (13-17,6-8) – For LBSU fans, UC Irvine in the Big West men’s basketball tournament will bring back memories of Aaron Nixon’s 3-point buzzer beater in last year’s Big West semifinals. This Anteaters team isn’t as good as the team last year, which was the No. 2 seed in the tournament. UC Irvine, like all the teams seeded 5th to 8th, will have to win four games in four days to win the conference tournament. Against LBSU: UCI W 88-84 (@ UCI), LBSU W 85-80 (@ LBSU).
No. 6 Cal State Northridge (14-16,5-9) – In 2004, Northridge finished with the exact same overall record and were the No. 6 seed in the Big West Tournament. Then the Matadors went on an improbable run, making it into the conference championship game. They had the score tied with 39 seconds left, but Pacific came through at the end to win the tournament. If they aren’t taken seriously this year, the Matadors could make a similar run. Northridge is one of only two teams in the conference that has beaten LBSU. Jonathan Heard leads the team in points with 13.8 per game Against LBSU: CSN W 90-83 (@ CSUN), LBSU W 79-72 (@ LBSU).
No. 7 Pacific (11-18, 5-9) – It will take a very special week for Pacific to continue its reign over the Big West. The Tigers have won three consecutive conference titles, but have struggled for most of this season. Pacific has lost four consecutive games, including a 76-73 loss to its first-round opponent, Cal State Northridge. Forward Anthony Brown has been the Tigers best player this season, averaging 14 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Against LBSU: LBSU W 92-64 (@ LBSU), LBSU W 82-76 (@ PAC).
No. 8 UC Riverside (7-23, 1-13) – If there were something worth telling you about the Highlanders I would, but other than them being very bad, there isn’t. Against LBSU: LBSU W 99-65 (@ LBSU), LBSU W 91-75 (@ UCR).
