Big West Conference Preseason Polls Have Been Released
UC Irvine men and UC San Diego women claimed the top spots in the latest preseason basketball media rankings.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball
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The UCSD Guardian released its Big West basketball preseason media poll for the upcoming season. UC Irvine secured the top position in the men's rankings, while UC San Diego took first place in the women's poll.
Why it matters
These preseason rankings offer an early glimpse into expectations for the 12-university conference following recent shifts in its membership. The poll results highlight the shifting competitive balance as new programs join the league.
The conference features 12 universities, including three new programs. Voting was conducted by 11 journalists for the men's poll and nine for the women's poll, with UC San Diego edging out UCI by one point in the women's standings.
The players
UC San Diego
This university is a public research institution that operates The UCSD Guardian and maintains an active athletic program within the Big West.
UC Irvine
This public research university is a major participant in the Big West conference and frequently contends for top conference rankings.
The details
The media poll results were determined through a point-based system where voters awarded 11 points for a first-place selection down to zero points for 12th place. Ballots were distributed by email to various student newspapers and radio stations.
Timeline
The preseason poll results were published by The Guardian on October 5, 2026.
The Big West conference previously experienced team departures in 2014.
UC San Diego made an appearance in the March Madness tournament in 2024.
Season Trajectory
The basketball preseason poll follows the trajectory set by the 2024 NCAA March Madness tournament, signaling high expectations for the conference's leading programs. These rankings frame the competitive landscape as the league integrates new member universities.
The poll results confirm UC San Diego and UC Irvine as the favorites to watch during the upcoming season. The point differential in the women's poll suggests an extremely close competitive race between those two top-ranked programs.
The takeaway
Preseason polls serve as a barometer for team success, though actual conference standing often shifts once regular season play begins. Fans should watch for how the new conference members adjust to the existing competitive dynamics.
Further reading
For more on local collegiate sports, see the latest updates on California Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The UCSD Guardian.
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