Big West Men’S Basketball Capsules
In predicted order of finish:
EASTERN DIVISION 1. Boise State (7-2)
1997-98 record: 17-13 overall, 9-7 Big West, tie for third. Postseason: None. Coach: Rod Jensen, 4th year. Record: 53-41.
Top returnees: F Roberto Bergersen (6-6, 200, Sr.), 25 ppg, 4 rpg; G Gerry Washington (6-1, 180, Sr.), 11.8 ppg, 4.3 apg; F Kejuan Woods (6-6, 195, Soph.) 7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg.
Top newcomer: C Richard Morgan (6-8, 215, Fr.) 7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg.
Outlook: Roberto Bergersen is perhaps the best player in the Big West. Not only does he average 25 points per game - third in the nation - but he’s a good rebounder and defender. His shooting and jumping abilities make him a difficult matchup for guards or forwards. Washington is a proven ball handler.
If young post players develop, BSU looks to be beast in the East.
2. Utah State (7-3)
1997-98 record: 25-8 overall, 13-3 Big West, first. Postseason: NCAA Tournament first round. Coach: Stew Morrill, 1st year at USU, 13th overall. Record: 225-141.
Top returnees: F Pharoah Davis (6-5, 231, Sr.) 9.2 rpg, 46% fg; C Donnie Johnson (6-6, 217, Sr.) 61% fg, 8 rpg); G Tyrone Allick (6-1, 176, Sr.) 4.3 apg, 3.8 turnovers per game.
Top newcomers: G Troy Rolle (6-2, 203, Jr.), 19.5 ppg, 5 rpg; G Tony Brown (6-3, 194, Fr.), 37% 3-point, 96% ft).
Outlook: Aggies have a nice inside-outside balance. Troy Rolle, a transfer from Chipola Junior College, is a consistent scorer and Tony Brown is a deadeye shooter. Pharoah Davis and Donnie Johnson started most of last season and provide rebounding and modest scoring.
Aggies beat Utah and nearly upset Colorado State, so they should feel comfortable in the Big West.
3. Idaho (4-5)
1997-98 record: 15-12 overall, 9-7 Big West, tie for third. Postseason: None. Coach: Dave Farrar, 2nd year at Idaho, 7th overall. Record: 23-21 at UI; 84-95 overall.
Top returnees: G Avery Curry (6-2, 185, Sr.) 13.4 ppg, 20 steals; G/F Cameron Banks (6-3, 210, Sr.) 9.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 40.4% 3-point), C Falemao Tosi (6-6, 270, Sr.) 3.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg).
Top newcomers: G Gordon Scott (6-5, 185, Jr.) 15.1 ppg, 34% 3-point, 17 steals); F Kaniel Dickens (6-8, 215, Soph.) 6.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg).
Outlook: Idaho has been inconsistent. Shooting has been a seasonlong problem and the Vandals are losing the rebounding battle by nearly seven per game.
Still, Idaho has two scorers in Avery Curry and Gordon Scott. And the return of Falemao Tosi should do wonders for team toughness and chemistry. Title run is possible, but Vandals will have to play better than in first nine games.
4. New Mexico State (7-4)
1997-98 record: 18-12 overall, 8-8 Big West, fifth. Postseason: None. Coach: Lou Henson, 2nd year at NMSU; 36th overall. Record: 25-16 at NMSU; 688-347 overall.
Top returnees: F Charles Gosa (6-8, 195, Sr.) 11.8 ppg; F Aaron Brodt (6-9, 240, Jr.).
Top newcomers: G Eric Channing (6-4, 190, Fr.), 52% 3-point; G Brad Bestor (6-2, 180, Jr.) 44% 3-point; G William Keys (6-2, 175, Jr.), 4.8 apg.
Outlook: Aggies have posted some quality wins - beating UTEP twice and Wisconsin. NMSU added four players from Northeastern Illinois, which folded its program after the 1997-98 season.
Aggies are one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the conference and should improve as new players mesh.
5. Nevada (4-5)
1997-98 record: 16-12 overall, 11-5 Big West, second. Postseason: None. Coach: Pat Foster, 6th year Nevada, 19th overall. Record: 86-68 at Nevada; 362-190 overall.
Top returnees: F Andre McLeod (6-7, 230, Sr.); F Lamont Bonner (6-6, 185, So.); G Tommy Zapata (6-3, 190, Jr.), 4.4 apg.
Top newcomers: G John Burrell (6-3, 187, Jr.) 17 ppg, 46% fg) G Derrick Anderson (6-5, 197, Jr.) 39% 3-point, 2 steals per game.
Outlook: Nevada has no starters returning and only three players - Andre McLeod, Tommy Zapata and Lamont Bonner - who played last season. The influx of talent is good, but Nevada is probably too young to move into the upper echelon of the East Division.
Wolf Pack have only one senior and, surprisingly, six freshmen in a program that usually depends on JC players.
6. North Texas (0-10)
1997-98 record: 5-21 overall, 4-12 Big West, sixth. Postseason: None. Coach: Vic Trilli, 2nd year. Record: 5-31.
Top returner: F Charles Washington (6-4, 200, Sr.) 13 ppg, 9.6 rpg.
Top newcomers: F Deginald Erskin (6-6, 210, Fr.); G Calvin Williams (6-0, 185, Soph.), 4.7 apg; F Sam Funches (6-8, 210, Jr.); G Michael Colter. Outlook: The Eagles are extremely green with eight freshmen. The incoming class was ranked 21st best in the nation by The Sporting News, but their impact likely will come down the road. Sam Funches (UConn) and Michael Colter (Baylor) are transfers who just became eligible.
North Texas is 0-10, but consider the opponents - Texas Christian, Princeton, Maryland, Arkansas, Texas A&M and Iowa State. Eagles will be more competitive in conference.
In predicted order of finish:
WESTERN DIVISION 1. Cal Poly SLO (5-5)
1997-98 record: 14-14 overall, 7-9 Big West, second. Postseason: None. Coach: Jeff Schneider, 4th year. Record: 49-48.
Top returnees: G Mike Wozniak (6-2, 175, Jr.) 19 ppg, 33% 3-point; F Chris Bjorklund (6-9, 230, Soph.) 21.8 ppg, 56% fg). F Jeremiah Mayes (6-8, 220, Soph.), 12.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg.
Top newcomer: G Jason King (5-9, 160, Fr.) 39% 3-point, 5.9 ppg).
Outlook: Cal Poly was run-and-gun last year. This year, the Mustangs are sprint-and-uzi. They’ve topped 100 points four times.
Cal Poly’s style, though, leads to opportunities for opponents. Foes average 86.9 points and shoot 46 percent. Still, in the weak Western Division, Mustangs have the best returning talent - top seven scorers return from last year.
2. Long Beach State (3-7)
1997-98 record: 10-19 overall, 5-11 Big West, fifth. Postseason: None. Coach: Wayne Morgan, 3rd year. Record: 26-40.
Top returnees: F D’Cean Bryant (6-6, 215, Sr.), F/G Antrone Lee (6-7, 195, Jr.), G Tommie Davis (5-9, 175, Sr.).
Top newcomers: G Ramel Lloyd (6-4, 225, Soph.), 17.7 ppg, 44% fg; F Richie Smalls (6-8, 205, Jr.), 1.6 blocks.
Outlook: Lots of ability, but still trying to get it channeled the right way. Ramel Lloyd transferred from Syracuse and figures to be one of the better players in the Big West.
Antrone Lee and D’Cean Bryant were double-figures scorers a year ago. Would be no surprise if 49ers rise to top of the West.
3. Pacific (5-4)
1997-98 record: 23-10 overall, 14-2 Big West, first. Postseason: NIT first round. Coach: Bob Thomason, 11th year at Pacific, 14th overall. Record: 165-135 at Pacific, 218-161 overall.
Top returnees: F Jason Williams (6-7, 220, Sr.), 45% fg; Clay McKnight (6-2, 180, Jr.), 3.7 3-pointers per game; G Scott Thomason (5-8, 150, Sr.), 53% 3-point, 4.4 apg.
Top newcomers: C Tim Johnson (6-10, 250, Fr.) 1.4 blocks per game.
Outlook: Tigers lost five of top six scorers from a year ago, including Michael Olowokandi, the No. 1 draft in the NBA draft. What remains are a young bunch (nine freshmen) and a decent inside player (Jason Williams).
Pacific has trouble scoring, but is a great defensive team - roughly opposite of Cal Poly. The Tigers’ discipline should be enough to earn top four finish and a tournament berth.
4. Cal State Fullerton (6-4)
1997-98 record: 12-16 overall, 6-10 Big West, tie for third. Postseason: None. Coach: Bob Hawking, 5th year. Record: 44-74.
Top returnees: F Ike Harmon (6-7, 190, Jr.) 14 ppg, 6.4 rpg; G Kenroy Jarrett (5-11, 160, Jr.) 11 ppg; C Mark Richardson (6-7, 215, Sr.), 7.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg; C Matt Caldwell (6-8, 220, Soph.) 11 ppg.
Top newcomers: G Mark Murphy (6-0, 185, Jr.) 11 ppg; G/F Brandon Campbell (6-4, 205, Fr.), 3.9 ppg.
Outlook: Good collection of talent with good size and athleticism. Titans have had a good preseason. CSUF will rely on top six because there’s very little experience coming off the bench.
The Titans could be in title chase if it learns to take care of the ball and become more consistent offensively.
5. UC Irvine (4-5)
1997-98 record: 9-18 overall, 6-10 Big West, t-third. Postseason: None. Coach: Pat Douglass, 2nd year. Record: 13-23.
Top returnees: F Ben Jones (6-7, 210, Soph.), 2.7 3-pointers per game; F Adam Stetson (6-7, 210, Jr.).
Top newcomers: G Jerry Green (6-3, 170, Fr.), 4.6 apg, 2.4 steals per game; F Marek Ondera (6-6, 205, Jr.) 7.7 rpg. Outlook: Pat Douglass appears to be building with freshmen, so it will take some time to turn the program around. But not too long, thanks to freshmen like Jerry Green, who ranks among Big West leaders in assists and steals. He scored 22 points in recent win over BYU.
UCI is limited offensively and is getting battered on the boards. Anteaters will be doing well to avoid the cellar.
6. Santa Barbara (2-8)
1997-98 record: 7-19 overall, 4-12 Big West, sixth. Postseason: None. Coach: Bob Williams, 1st year, 11th overall. Record: 191-108.
Top returnees: F B.J. Bunton (6-7, 225, Sr.), 17.7 ppg, 55% fg; 8 rpg; G Brandon Payton (6-0, 160, Soph.), 9 ppg; F Josh Merrill (6-9, 220, Sr.), 14.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg.
Top newcomer: G Derrick Allen (6-0, 200, Jr.), 5 apg.
Outlook: Gauchos have won two in a row after dropping first eight. First-year coach Bob Williams might be in for a long year, and he’ll lose his best two players, B.J. Bunton and Josh Merrill, after this season.