Area schools on hunt for a title
Which local team will be the one to stop the Gauchos?
Last season, the UC Irvine men's basketball team won the Big West Conference regular-season championship, but when the conference tournament came around, UC Santa Barbara defeated Cal State Fullerton in the final to dance its way to the NCAA Tournament.
The 2023-24 season gets underway as soon as Monday for some teams and the Gauchos are the preseason favorite, followed closely by a veteran Long Beach State squad, based on voting by the Big West's 11 head coaches.
Here's a look at the five local teams, in alphabetical order:
CAL STATE FULLERTON Coach: Dedrique Taylor, 11th season
Last season: 20-13, 12-6 conference
Who's back: Max Jones, a 6-foot4guard, averaged 12.5points per game last season. Reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Year Tory San Antonio also returns to the backcourt. Vincent Lee, Grayson Carper and John Mikey Square also played valuable roles last season.
Who's gone: Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who led Fullerton in scoring (16.3), assists (2.4) and steals (1.5) and earned first-team all-conference honors, departed for Alabama. Also gone are Daeshawn Eaton (Cal State East Bay), Victor Panov (Le Moyne), Jayden White (Cal State San Marcos) and Lathaniel Bastian (UT Permian Basin).
Who's new: Jalen Cooper, a 6-6 power forward, led Palm Beach Atlantic in points (17.4) and rebounds (8.7) last season. Beril Kabamba, a 6-5forward, averaged 28.6points and 8.7rebounds at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Donovan Oday (McNeese State), DJ Brewton (Alcorn State) and Zachary Visentin (Snow College) look to contribute.
Coach's quote: “Our chemistry will be really important, but I think the work that this group has been able to accomplish by working together will carry us a long way. But then also understanding how we need to win, how their work and how their skillset plays into those things.” — Dedrique Taylor
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE Coach: Andy Newman, first season Last season: 7-25, 4-16conference Who's back: The Matadors have just four returning players, but three were major contributors. Dionte Bostick was second on the team in scoring at 12.4points per game and led in assists (2.7). De'Sean Allen-Eikens, the only player for the Matadors to start all 32games last season, averaged 11.1points and five rebounds. Dearon Tucker, a 6-10forward, averaged 5.2 points and 3.6rebounds.
Who's gone: The Matadors lost seven players to the transfer portal. Shooting guard Atin Wright departed for Drake after averaging 16.7ppg last season, fourth in the Big West. CSUN also said goodbye to Christopher Carter (Kansas), Fidelis Okereke (Cal State Bakersfield), Adam Afifi (Chico State), Cam Slaymaker (Southern Nazarene), Johnnie Walter (Penn) and Marcel Stevens (Saint Martin's).
Who's new: While the biggest addition might be Newman after four seasons at Cal State San Bernardino, where he went 91-30overall, the Matadors list 11new players. Jordan Brinson was the Daily Breeze Player of the Year at Westchester High in 201819before playing at UAB, Utah Valley, Salt Lake Community College and last season at Fresno State. Brinson will be reunited with former Westchester teammate Jared Barnett, who arrives from San Diego State.
Coach's quote: “I'm really excited about bringing these student-athletes home and giving them a chance to play in front of friends and family here in the Valley. There's so much interest in basketball here, hopefully we can build a program that local talent will want to be a part of in the future.” — Andy Newman
LONG BEACH STATE Coach: Dan Monson, 17th season
Last season: 17-16, 11-9conference
Who's back: LBSU returns five of its top six players, led by 6-10forward Lassina Traore, who was the Big West Newcomer of the Year last season after averaging 12.9 points and 10.5rebounds. Aboubacar Traore, a fellow Ivory Coast native who lured Lassina Traore from Saint Louis, was a Big West honorable mention selection for the second consecutive year after averaging 10.1 points and 8.8rebounds. Marcus Tsohonis (14.1 ppg) and AJ George (8.6ppg) will be counted upon to step up as well.
Who's gone: Point guard Joel Murray, who suffered a season-ending broken wrist last season, used up his eligibility. Only one player transferred as Tone Hunter, who stepped up after Murray went down, left for Oakland.
Who's new: Point guard Isa Silva transferred from Stanford after two seasons. He was ranked as high as No. 53in the nation by ESPN coming out of Jesuit High in Sacramento. Messiah Thompson will provide additional depth at point guard after transferring from Alabama A&M.
Coach's quote: “Coming into this spring, as a staff we identified the point guard position as our number one recruiting priority, and recruiting a point guard is all about finding the right fit. We believe Isa Silva is a perfect fit for the Beach.” — Dan Monson
UC IRVINE
Coach: Russell Turner, 14th season Last season: 23-12, 15-5 conference Who's back: The Anteaters will have plenty of length, starting with 7-1 center Bent Leuchten, who averaged 9.3points and 5.7rebounds. Justin Hohn, a solid backup point guard the past two seasons, will likely move into a starting role. Devin Tillis, a 6-6small forward, started 31games for UCI last season with a 7.3scoring average.
DJ Davis transferred to Butler and Dawson Baker left for BYU, taking with them 30.3points per game. Davis was a first-team All-Big West selection and Baker made the second team. No other Anteater averaged double figures in scoring last season.
Irvine native Dylan Thoerner will try to fill the void beyond the 3-point line. He averaged 15ppg and shot 43% from 3-point range for Tufts University in Boston. The Anteaters will also be joined by three 6-4freshman guards — Derin Saran, Ben Egbo and Jurian Dixon.
Coach's quote: “There will be different guys on different nights. Every one of them will be differencemakers on different nights. That is what's going to be the fun part about following us.” — Russell Turner
UC RIVERSIDE
Coach: Mike Magpayo, fourth season
Last season: 22-12, 14-6conference
Who's back: Kyle Owens averaged double figures in scoring before the 6-8forward missed the last 14games with a knee injury. Wil Tattersall is back after starting all 34games last season. Jhaylon Martinez also returns for UCR and the 6-11center should lock down a starting role in the middle.
Who's gone: The Highlanders lost four of their top five scorers from last season. The biggest loss could be Zyon Pullin, who led the Big West in scoring last season (18.3) and was the main reason UCR finished third and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament, and went to Florida as a graduate transfer.
Who's new: Ben Griscti, a 6-11post player from Australia, played the past two seasons at Incarnate Word, averaging 5.3points and 3.4rebounds. Isaiah Moses averaged 16.5points last season at the College of Southern Idaho. Gavin Davis played last season at West L.A. College, where he averaged 14.9points and 4.6rebounds.
Coach's quote: “I think the frontcourt is going to play a big, big role. We're pretty deep there (and) we'll surround them with shooters.” — Mike Magpayo