Conference
Championship: March 14
Television Coverage: FS PRIME, ESPNU, ESPN2
Tournament Bracket: http://www.bigwest.org/userfiles//15_MB_Bracket.pdf
Television Coverage: FS PRIME, ESPNU, ESPN2
Tournament Bracket: http://www.bigwest.org/userfiles//15_MB_Bracket.pdf
Overview:
The 2014-2015 season was a good one for the Big West Conference. While
the league will only send one team to the NCAA tournament, the Big West
featured many quality teams. The nine teams in the league won 51 non-conference
games and ranked 4th in conference RPI among mid-majors. The Big West
tournament has been won by six different teams over the past seven seasons and
could become seven of eight if top seed UC Davis can win the tournament. Here
is a look at the top contenders for the Big West Conference tournament
championship.
Favorite to Win Tournament: UC Davis Aggies (24-5, 14-2)
If UC Davis can win the conference tournament, it will be an amazing achievement for the Aggies. UC Davis finished last place in the Big West last season going 4-12. Only the top eight teams make the conference tournament meaning that the Aggies did not even participate in the postseason tournament last season. UC Davis turned it around this season going 14-2 in conference including a 5-1 record against the other top three teams. The Aggies will enter the tournament as the clear favorite.
Most Likely to Upset Favorite: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (18-12, 11-5)
UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) finished 7-7 against the 7th toughest non-conference schedule in the country. The schedule did not get easier at the start of Big West Conference play with the Gauchos playing all four of the other top teams in conference going 3-4 during that stretch. It all came together for UCSB at the start of February. The Gauchos finished the season 8-1 with wins over Long Beach St., UC Davis, and UC Irvine. If UCSB can continue to play strong during the conference tournament, the Gauchos could be back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 2010 and 2011.
Dark Horse to Win Tournament: Long Beach St. 49ers (16-16, 10-6)
Long Beach St.’s (LBSU) overall record is always deceiving. The 49ers have challenged themselves more than any other team in the past five seasons. LBSU is the only team in the country to have a top 25 non-conference strength of schedule in the past five seasons. The 49ers went 4-10 against Division I non-conference opponents this year, which included 12 road/neutral games. LBSU won two quality games during that stretch against Xavier and Kansas St. The 49ers were in great position early on to win the Big West Conference regular season championship after starting 7-1. A five game losing streak derailed those hopes, but LBSU rebounded over the last two weeks winning three straight to finish the season. The 49ers are battle tested and road warriors, which should make for a worthy upset candidate in the Big West Conference tournament.
Expected Tournament Bid(s): Conference Tournament Winner
Favorite to Win Tournament: UC Davis Aggies (24-5, 14-2)
If UC Davis can win the conference tournament, it will be an amazing achievement for the Aggies. UC Davis finished last place in the Big West last season going 4-12. Only the top eight teams make the conference tournament meaning that the Aggies did not even participate in the postseason tournament last season. UC Davis turned it around this season going 14-2 in conference including a 5-1 record against the other top three teams. The Aggies will enter the tournament as the clear favorite.
Most Likely to Upset Favorite: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (18-12, 11-5)
UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) finished 7-7 against the 7th toughest non-conference schedule in the country. The schedule did not get easier at the start of Big West Conference play with the Gauchos playing all four of the other top teams in conference going 3-4 during that stretch. It all came together for UCSB at the start of February. The Gauchos finished the season 8-1 with wins over Long Beach St., UC Davis, and UC Irvine. If UCSB can continue to play strong during the conference tournament, the Gauchos could be back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 2010 and 2011.
Dark Horse to Win Tournament: Long Beach St. 49ers (16-16, 10-6)
Long Beach St.’s (LBSU) overall record is always deceiving. The 49ers have challenged themselves more than any other team in the past five seasons. LBSU is the only team in the country to have a top 25 non-conference strength of schedule in the past five seasons. The 49ers went 4-10 against Division I non-conference opponents this year, which included 12 road/neutral games. LBSU won two quality games during that stretch against Xavier and Kansas St. The 49ers were in great position early on to win the Big West Conference regular season championship after starting 7-1. A five game losing streak derailed those hopes, but LBSU rebounded over the last two weeks winning three straight to finish the season. The 49ers are battle tested and road warriors, which should make for a worthy upset candidate in the Big West Conference tournament.
Expected Tournament Bid(s): Conference Tournament Winner
UC Davis has the strongest resume of the Big West
teams, but a 327 non-conference strength of schedule will prevent them from an
at-large bid. The winner of the Big West Conference tournament will be the only
NCAA representative and will likely be a 14-16 seed.
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