BIg West Mens’ Basketball Preseason Poll Revealed

IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West announced its men's basketball preseason poll with the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors picked seventh by the league coaches. UH is coming off an 11-9 Big West campaign in 2023-24 in which it placed fourth in the conference standings.

Defending regular-season champion UC Irvine (92 points) is tabbed the conference favorite. The Anteaters garnered eight of 11 first-place votes, while second-place UC Santa Barbara (85) received a pair of first-place votes. UC San Diego (77) edged UC Riverside (75) for third with the fourth-place Highlanders getting the remaining first-place vote.

The 'Bows return five letterwinners and two redshirts to this year's squad, however the team loses its top six scorers from last season. A group of eight talented newcomers join the Rainbow Warriors, highlighted by four key transfers in Tanner Christensen (Utah Tech), Marcus Greene (Houston Christian), Gytis Nemeikša (Xavier) and Jerome Palm (Valparaiso).

Fans will get their first peek of this year's squad when the men's and women's programs host Rainbow Madness this Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The interactive event will include player introductions, a three-point contest and skills challenge, a keiki dunk contest, prize giveaways and an autograph session to conclude the afternoon.

The Rainbow Warriors officially open their regular-season against Life Pacific on Nov. 8 in the OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic. San Jose State and Pacific are also in this year's tournament field.

2024-25 Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. UC Irvine - 92 (8)
2. UC Santa Barbara - 85 (2)
3. UC San Diego - 77
4. UC Riverside - 75 (1)
5. UC Davis - 67
6. CSUN - 57
7. Hawai'i - 46
8. Long Beach State - 39
9. Cal State Bakersfield - 28
10. Cal State Fullerton - 22
11. Cal Poly - 11

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Players Mentioned

#32 Tanner Christensen: C; 6' 10"; Graduate Student

#4 Marcus Greene: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#5 Gytis Nemeikša: F; 6' 8"; Senior

#20 Jerome Palm: F/C; 6' 10"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#32 Tanner Christensen
: 6' 10"; Graduate Student
: C

#4 Marcus Greene
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#5 Gytis Nemeikša
: 6' 8"; Senior
: F

#20 Jerome Palm
: 6' 10"; Graduate Student
: F/C