October 30, 2007

Big West scouting report

CAL POLY SLO

* Last season: 19-11, 9-5.

* Key players: G Dawin Whiten, 6-3, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 62 three-point baskets); G Trae Clark, 5-11, Jr. (9.1 ppg, 3.7 apg); F Titus Shelton, 6-8, Jr. (8.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 38 blocks).

* Opener/home opener: Nov. 9, 1:15 p.m. vs. Washington in the BTI Tipoff tournament at Northern Iowa; Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. vs. Utah State.

CAL STATE FULLERTON

* Last season: 20-10, 9-5.

* Key players: F Scott Cutley, 6-5, Sr. (15.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg, all-conference selection); G Frank Robinson, 6-4, Sr. (11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg); G Marcus Crenshaw, 5-10, Jr. (11.4 ppg, Big West sixth-man of the year); G Josh Akognon, 5-11, Jr. (Washington State transfer, Cougars' leading scorer in 2005-06).

* Opener: Nov. 9, 7 p.m. vs. Cal State Bakersfield.

NORTHRIDGE

* Last season: 14-17, 5-9.

* Key players: G/F Jonathan Heard, 6-6, Sr. (13.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 44 steals); F Calvin Chitwood, 6-8, Sr. (13.2 ppg, 85.1% FTs); G Rob Haynes, 6-4 (42.6% on three-pointers); G Josh Jenkins, 5-10, Jr. (JC All-American from Frank Phillips College in Texas).

* Opener: Nov. 10, 2 p.m. vs. Chicago State.

LONG BEACH STATE

* Last season: 24-8, 12-2.

* Key players: G Artis Gant, 6-3, Jr. (1.9 ppg); C Andrew Fleming, 7-0, So. (One of three 7-footers in the conference); G Donovan Morris, 6-3, Jr. (Fresno State transfer led the WAC with 42.5% shooting on three-pointers in 2004-2005).

* Opener: Nov. 10, 2 p.m. vs. Brigham Young.

PACIFIC

* Last season: 12-19, 5-9.

* Key players: F Anthony Brown, 6-7, Jr. (14.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 53.3% FGs); G Steffan Johnson, 6-1, Jr. (9.7 ppg, 3.6 apg); F Michael Nunnally, 6-8, Jr. (JC state co-player of the year at Delta College).

* Opener/home opener: Nov. 10, TBA vs. Western Michigan in the World Invitational at Oregon; Nov. 17, 7:30 vs. Lewis and Clark.

UC DAVIS

* Last season: 5-23, 0-0 (first year as official member).

* Key players: G Vince Oliver, 6-3, Jr. (12.7 ppg, 88.9% FTs); F Dominic Calegari, 6-9, 220, So. (6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 48.9% FGs); G Adam Malik, 6-8, Fr. (24.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg at La Canada High).

* Opener: Nov. 11, 4:30 p.m. vs. La Verne.

UC IRVINE

* Last season: 15-18, 6-8.

* Key players: F Patrick Sanders, 6-6, Sr. (11.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 51 blocks); C Darren Fells, 6-7, Sr. (10.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 53.5% FGs); G Chuma Awaji, 6-3, Sr. (7.9 ppg); G Michael Hunter, 5-10, So. (44% on three-pointers, Mid-Major Freshman All-American).

* Opener: Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. vs. Loyola Marymount.

UC RIVERSIDE

* Last season: 7-24, 1-13.

* Key players: G Larry Cunningham, 6-2, Sr. (13.7 ppg); G Chris Johnson, 6-0, Jr. (10 ppg); G Charles Jim-George, 6-4, So. (45.5% on three-pointers); F B.J. Visman, 6-8, Jr. (10 ppg, 8.6 rpg in five games before injury).

* Opener/home opener: Nov. 10, 11 a.m. at Texas Tech; Nov. 24, 7 p.m. vs. Idaho.

UC SANTA BARBARA

* Last season: 18-11, 9-5.

* Key players: G Alex Harris, 6-6, Sr. (21.1 ppg, 71 three-pointers, all-conference selection); F Chris Devine, 6-8, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 53% FGs); G James Powell, 6-2, So. (8.8 ppg); G Justin Joyner, 6-1, So. (4.8 ppg, 2.9 apg).

* Opener/home opener: Nov. 9 vs. Northwestern State in the Basketball travelers Classic at Stanford; Nov. 15 vs. Cal Poly Pomona.

-- Peter Yoon