Sacramento State Joins Big West for 2026-27 Season
The Hornets debut in The Big West Conference this year with a roster bolstered by significant transfers and top recruits.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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Sacramento State officially begins play in The Big West Conference for the 2026-27 season. The program arrives following a 10-21 campaign during the previous year.
Why it matters
The move to a new conference represents a major shift for the program as it attempts to improve upon last year performance. The coaching staff has specifically revamped the roster to address previous weaknesses in size and rebounding.
Sacramento State added five players taller than 6 feet 8 inches to address past rebounding issues. The roster includes key additions like Sasa Ciani, who averaged 9.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game at UIC, and Larry Hughes II.
The players
Mike Bibby
He is the head coach of the Sacramento State basketball team responsible for managing the roster and coaching strategy.
Larry Hughes II
He is a transfer guard for Sacramento State who previously played for CSU Northridge.
Sasa Ciani
He is a transfer forward for the Hornets who formerly played for Penn State and UIC.
Arman Madi
He is a returning player for Sacramento State who averaged 12.7 points per game during a 12-game stretch last season.
Mikey Williams
He is a returning junior guard for the Sacramento State basketball program.
The details
Head coach Mike Bibby utilized the transfer portal and freshman recruitment to build a deeper team. Key acquisitions include transfers Larry Hughes II, Marcus Wilson, and Sasa Ciani, while the team also secured Chidi Nwigwe and Ashton Pierce as highly ranked recruits.
Timeline
2025-26 Season: Sacramento State recorded a 10-21 record.
2026-27 Season: Sacramento State begins play in The Big West.
Season Trajectory
This transition to The Big West Conference marks a pivotal shift in the team's competitiveness and regional standing. The roster overhaul sets the stage for the program to potentially challenge for an NCAA Tournament bid during this campaign.
Fans can expect a higher-paced offensive style compared to previous seasons. With the addition of five players over 6 feet 8 inches, the team aims to drastically improve its rebounding metrics and interior defense.
The takeaway
The program is banking on a mix of experienced transfers and high-ranked freshmen to transform its identity this year. Success for the team will likely hinge on whether these new, taller players can quickly integrate into the coach's high-paced system.
Further reading
For more on local sports, visit the Sacramento Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The State Hornet.
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