IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West has announced this season's Preseason Coaches' Poll and All-Big West Preseason Team today. For UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball, they have been voted to finish first in the conference. Along with that,
Ajay Mitchell was selected to the All-Big West Preseason Team.
The Gauchos are coming off a campaign to remember as they broke the record for the most wins in a season during Coach
Joe Pasternack's sixth year with the program. Not only that, but Santa Barbara won a share of the regular season Big West Title while going on to win The Big West Championship, earning a spot in March Madness for the second time in three seasons.
The reigning Big West Player of the Year and Big West Tournament MVP returns to the lineup for the Gauchos and earned his spot on the All-Big West Preseason Team. Mitchell's standout season ended with him averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 assists per game while shooting at 50.6 percent from the field.
The Lou Henson All-American Honorable Mention will be back on the court for his junior season along with
Josh Pierre-Louis and
Cole Anderson in pursuit of another Big West Championship this season.
Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2023-24 Men's Basketball team on Thursday, Nov. 9 when the team opens up against Portland State in The Thunderdome. Season tickets are available and can be purchased online, in person or by phone at (805) 724-6896. Single-game tickets will go on sale soon.
To see interviews with Coach Pasternack and Mitchell, tune into the Big West Preseason Show on ESPN+ this afternoon at 1 p.m.
2023-24 Big West Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| RANK |
TEAM |
POINTS |
| 1 |
UC Santa Barbara |
92 (9) |
| 2 |
Long Beach State |
82 (2) |
| 3 |
Hawai'i |
80 |
| 4 |
UC Irvine |
75 |
| 5 |
UC Davis |
69 |
| 6 |
Cal State Fullerton |
58 |
| 7 |
UC Riverside |
45 |
| 8 |
Cal State Bakersfield |
36 |
| 9 |
UC San Diego |
31 |
| 10 |
CSUN |
18 |
| 11 |
Cal Poly |
12 |
2023-24 All-Big West Preseason Coaches' Team
| NAME |
Yr. |
Pos. |
Institution |
Hometown |
| Ajay Mitchell |
Jr. |
G |
UC Santa Barbara |
Ans, Liege, Belgium |
| JoVon McClanahan |
Sr. |
G |
Hawai'i |
Vallejo, Calif. |
| Elijah Pepper |
Sr. |
G |
UC Davis |
Selah, Wash. |
| Bryce Pope |
Sr. |
G |
UC San Diego |
San Diego, Calif. |
| Aboubacar Traore |
Jr. |
F |
Long Beach State |
Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire |
| Lassina Traore |
Jr. |
F |
Long Beach State |
Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire |
