IRVINE, Calif.  – The Big West announced its men's basketball preseason polls with the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors picked fifth by the coaches and sixth by the media. UH is coming off a 9-9 Big West campaign in 2021-22 in which it placed sixth in the conference standings.

Defending regular-season champion UC Santa Barbara (270 points) is tabbed the conference favorite in both polls. The Gauchos garnered five of nine first-place votes in the coaches poll and six of 11 in the media poll. Perennial leader UC Irvine was picked a close second in both polls. UC Riverside (2) and CSU Bakersfield (1) were the others to earn first-place votes in the media poll.  
 
The 'Bows return eight letterwinners from last year and welcome the return of senior wing player Samuta Avea (10.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg in 2019-20) who opted out last season. Six newcomers also join the squad, highlighted by Division I transfers Jerome Desrosiers, Kamaka Hepa and Juan Munoz. Fans got an early glimpse of the team on Nov. 1 when the Rainbow Warriors defeated Chaminade, 72-60, in exhibition action.
 
UH will opens its regular-season against in-state rival UH Hilo on Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic. Northern Colorado and Pacific are also in this year's tournament field.  
 
2021-22 Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. UC Santa Barbara - 69 (5)
2. UC Irvine - 68 (4)
3. UC Riverside - 53
4. UC Davis - 47
5. Hawai'i - 40
6. CSU Bakersfield - 39
7. Cal State Fullerton - 32
8. Long Beach State - 29
9. Cal Poly - 18
10. CSUN - 10

2021-22 Big West Preseason Media Poll
1. UC Santa Barbara - 103 (6)
2. UC Irvine - 100 (2)
3. UC Riverside - 89 (2)
4. UC Davis - 66
5. CSU Bakersfield - 60 (1)
6. Hawai'i - 57
7. Long Beach State - 46
8. Cal State Fullerton - 42
9. Cal Poly - 20
10. CSUN - 19