Gauchos Tabbed Second in Big West Preseason Media Poll
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The two-time defending Big West Tournament champion UC Santa Barbara men's basketball team received four first-place votes and was picked second in the annual preseason media poll released by the conference on Tuesday.
The Gauchos, who won the regular season title in 2010 and the league tournament each of the last two years, finished with 196 points in the poll. Long Beach State, which won the regular season championship in 2011 but, for the second straight year, lost to UCSB in the tournament final, received 20 first-place votes and totaled 212 points.
"I think the league is as strong as it has been in several years," said head coach Bob Williams. "It's going to be a dogfight between four or five schools and I definitely think we are one of them."
Johnson is surrounded by several other outstanding players, including senior James Nunnally. The 6-foot-6 guard paired with Johnson to form the Big West's most lethal one-two scoring punch in 2010-11. Nunnally ranked fifth in the Big West with 16.3 points per game and 12th in rebounds (5.7). Johnson and Nunnally combined for 1,194 points and 128 three-pointers as two of the conference's top marksmen. UCSB's drive for a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament will also depend on contributions from senior Jaimé Serna (7.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), an All-Big West Tournament pick in 2011, and 7-foot-3 Greg Somogyi who enters his senior season as the Big West career active leader in blocked shots (136).
"O.J. (Johnson), Nunn, Jaimé and Greg have all raised their levels," Williams said. "They are in great shape and very confident in themselves and each other."
"Our depth is a real positive," Williams said. "We've had deep teams in the past, but never a team that had so many players who can score. Right now, we have 10 guys we can put out on the court who can score. I can't remember having that before."
In addition to Long Beach State and UCSB, Cal Poly (196 points) was picked third, Cal State Fullerton (131 points) was fourth and UC Riverside (114 points) was chosen fifth. Pacific (91 points) was selected sixth and the only other team within shouting distance of the top-five.
Two of the Gauchos' top returnees, Johnson and Nunnally, were named to the Big West's Preseason Media All-Conference Team. The UCSB duo was joined by a trio of Long Beach players (Casper Ware, T.J. Robinson and Larry Anderson) and David Hanson of Cal Poly.
UCSB opens the 2011-12 season on Nov. 5 with an exhibition game against San Francisco State. The regular season opens on Nov. 11 against Chapman University. The non-conference home schedule is highlighted by games against UNLV (Nov. 30), San Diego State (Nov. 26), Portland (Nov. 22), Santa Clara (Nov. 15) and Westmont (Nov. 18).
Season tickets for UCSB basketball are available now! The Gauchos have an exciting home schedule that includes UNLV, San Diego State, Santa Clara, Portland and eight Big West games. There are several creative ticket plans available, including the Big West+1 plan that gives fans the opportunity to watch all eight Big West games and either the contest against UNLV or San Diego State.
For more information or to purchase season seats, please call 805-893-UCSB, drop by the Ticket Office in Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus or click here.
The ICA Ticket Office is conveniently open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and don't forget, there are two parking spots located between the ICA Building and Robertson Gym.
Media Poll Results
1. Long Beach State (20) 212
2. UC Santa Barbara (4) 196
3. Cal Poly 158
4. Cal State Fullerton 131
5. UC Riverside 114
6. Pacific 91
7. UC Davis 62
8. Cal State Northridge 61
9. UC Irvine 55
( ) First-place votes