Division Races Are Taking Shape

The teams in the new-look Big West Conference, now happily stretching from Idaho to Texas, are getting used to one another and trying to find an identity along the way.

Four new members and a revamped format doesn’t exactly breed familiarity.

The holdovers have welcomed Boise State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Idaho and North Texas with open arms, not that they really had a choice, and the conference now features two divisions. Who emerges from this bunch, expanded to such tourist hotbeds as Denton, Texas, and Moscow, Idaho, remains to be seen. The early returns are coming in, and although nothing is close to being settled, things are taking form.

Here’s a quick look at who’s playing where and how well.

WESTERN DIVISION

Pacific (12-1, 3-0 in conference)--After a season-opening loss to Fresno State, the Tigers have won 11 in a row. Included in their streak is an impressive neutral-court victory over longtime Big East-bully Georgetown. They’ve done most of this without standout guard Adam Jacobsen, lost for the season with a knee injury in November. The big guy, literally and figuratively, is 7-foot, 260-pound center Michael Olowokandi, who averages 12.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and two blocked shots. Olowokandi strained his knee in a 67-60 road victory over Cal State Fullerton on Saturday and is listed day-to-day, but Pacific has depth. Bob Thomason, long considered one of the Big West’s best coaches, seems to be working on something big. Prediction: Get ready for the NCAA tournament and clear some shelf space for awards.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (9-6, 3-0)--Only two seasons in Division I, yet second in this division. You can bet the Mustangs’ neighbors don’t dig this. In its inaugural Big West season, Cal Poly already has victories over New Mexico State and UC Santa Barbara. Coach Jeff Schneider, a disciple of Georgia Coach Tubby Smith, teaches a frantic pace that, when played correctly, runs opponents right out of the gym. Prediction: The Mustangs will keep their fans entertained, and opponents worried, all season.

Cal State Fullerton (8-5, 1-2)--Forget what you thought you knew about the Titans. These guys can play. Coach Bob Hawking teaches the game as well anybody in these parts, and John Williams and Chris Dade are a formidable inside-outside combo. How well are things going? Fullerton already has exceeded its victory total of the last two seasons. Prediction: If Pacific slips up, the Titans will finish on top.

UC Santa Barbara (6-7, 1-2)--Jerry Pimm, the dean of Big West coaches, is working with eight new players, so a rough start was inevitable. And the development process hasn’t been helped by injuries to standout forward Kealon Wallace and guard Bakir Allen. Prediction: Don’t count Pimm out just yet.

Long Beach State (5-8, 1-2)--Guards James Cotton, Tommie Davis and Brandon Titus could start for every other team in this group, and many others across the country. Other than that, if you don’t have anything nice to say. . . . Prediction: Brace yourself, 49er fans, Coach Wayne Morgan says this bumpy ride might get worse before it gets better.

UC Irvine (0-12, 0-3)--Few programs could overcome its top three players transferring at basically the same time. The Anteaters’ talent level simply isn’t comparable to the rest of the Big West, which is saying a lot. Was it really only a season ago that Rod Baker was voted the Big West’s top coach? Prediction: The Anteaters will continue to show improvement, but a victory could still easily elude them.

EASTERN DIVISION

Utah State (11-4, 4-0)--An early nonconference loss to hapless Brigham Young had Coach Larry Eustachy, a big worrier even by coaching standards, down in the dumps again. However, his disposition has been much brighter recently. The Aggies have won two conference road games and appear to be the class of the division. Prediction: The Aggies’ season won’t end in the conference tournament.

Nevada (9-5, 3-1)--Forward Faron “Meat” Hand is back and in a big way. After redshirting last season because of knee problems, Hand (6-7, 270) is averaging 19.1 points and seven rebounds. He scored a game-high 31 points in a 64-58 road victory Saturday at Boise State. Guard Jimmy Carroll, who transferred from Utah, is averaging 13.5 points--and he’s just getting started. Prediction: The Wolf Pack disappointed its fans last season. This trip will be better.

New Mexico State (7-6, 1-2)--His troubles with the NCAA over, Coach Neil McCarthy is again focusing all his energy on the court. Last season’s recruiting class provided a much-needed talent infusion and it shows. Forward Enoch Davis (14.4 points) is as steady as ever and guard Antoine Hubbard (6.7 assists, 2.9 steals) is the best of the newcomers. Prediction: New Mexico State will battle Nevada for second place.

Boise State (6-7, 1-2)--On an high: Opened conference play by routing Long Beach, the overwhelming choice to win its division, 78-53, at the Pyramid. Then a thud: Lost last two conference games--at home. Prediction: Remember that victory over Long Beach, Bronco fans. That’s as good as it will get.

North Texas (6-7, 1-2)--No school is farther away from the conference office in Irvine than North Texas, located in Denton. Guess what? The road hasn’t been too kind to the Eagles, who are 1-5 when they pack their bags. Prediction: The Eagles will win just enough road games to sneak into the conference tournament.

Idaho (7-9, 0-3)--Coach Kermit Davis led the Vandals to two NCAA tournament appearances during his first stint in Moscow (1988-90). This group isn’t quite as good as his previous. Prediction: The Vandals will be looking up in the standings all season.

Big West Notes

Long Beach State freshman forward Greg Clark will sit out the rest of the season and declare it a redshirt year. Clark, of La Mesa, dislocated his shoulder in practice Nov. 20, re-injured it in practice Dec. 14 and has not played in a regular-season game.