Media And Coaches Pick Men's Basketball Second At Big West Media Day

Nov. 9, 2001

Irvine, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara men's basketball team was picked to finish second by both the coaches and the media at the annual Big West Conference Media Day held this week in Irvine, Calif.

In the media poll, the Gauchos received seven first-place votes and a total of 257 points. UC Irvine received 19 first-place votes and 287 points. Utah State had two first-place votes and 245 total points. Long Beach also had two first-place votes and 232 points. Pacific received the only other first-place vote and a total of 195 points.

Among the coaches, UC Irvine had six first-place votes and 76 points. Both UCSB and Utah State had 66 points, but the Aggies had a pair of first-place votes, while the Gauchos had just one. Long Bech State had 63 points, and Pacific had 52, but also had a first-place vote.

The Gauchos open their regular season on Saturday, November 17 with a 2:00 p.m. game against Westmont College at the Thunderdome.

Here are the complete polls:

Coaches Poll

1.  UC Irvine (6)          76
2.  Utah State (2)         66
    UC Santa Barbara (1)   66
4.  Long Beach State       63
5.  Pacific (1)            52
6.  Cal State Northridge   42
7.  Cal State Fullerton    26
8.  Idaho                  23
9.  Cal Poly               19
10. UC Riverside           17

Media Poll

1.  UC Irvine (19)          287
2.  UC Santa Barbara (7)    257
3.  Utah State (2)          245
4.  Long Beach State (2)    232
5.  Pacific (1)             195
6.  Cal State Northridge    171
7.  Cal Poly                105
8.  Cal State Fulleron       82
9.  UC Riverside             72
10. Idaho                    60