The Big West has a Tiger on its hands

There is a rumble in the distance coming from the north. The

rumble, the University of the Pacific men’s basketball team, is

becoming louder. The Tigers are gaining momentum and confidence.

Pacific (7-4, 2-0 in the Big West), which was picked to finish

fifth in the Big West Conference in the preseason, has moved up as

the front-runner of the league after its 66-54 defeat over Utah

State, and because of the Tigers’ current six-game winning streak.

However, Pacific will have to display the same success on the road

to truly emerge as the conference favorite. Yet, the term, conference

favorite, should be used lightly because the Big West action will be

tightly contested, as evidenced in the first week of play.

Cal State Fullerton defeated last year’s Big West Tournament

champion UC Santa Barbara, 57-55, in overtime Saturday. Idaho

defeated Cal State Northridge, 73-66 in overtime. The two victories

said much about the four teams involved, yet the season is early and

there are more games to be played.

* Here’s a brief look at the rest of the Big West teams

researched after a teleconference call with coaches Tuesday.

Utah State (10-3, 1-1): The Aggies, who had won five in a row

before Saturday, will try to bounce back from their loss to Pacific

with two tough home games this week against Cal Poly Thursday, and UC

Santa Barbara Saturday, which is on ESPN 2 at 8:05 p.m.

Utah State Coach Stew Morrill said inconsistency, mainly the

guards’ shooting, has been the Aggies’ biggest problem.

Santa Barbara (4-8, 1-1): The Gauchos have been struggling in the

closing moments of games, Coach Bob Williams said. Santa Barbara had

many opportunities to defeat Fullerton Saturday, but the Gauchos made

too many mistakes in the end.

Branduinn Fullove, a 6-4, 210 junior who earned second-team

All-Big West honors last year, has been injured and his status is

uncertain for Thursday’s game at Idaho, where the Gauchos have

struggled.

Cal Poly (6-5, 2-0): The Mustangs are on top of the Big West

standings after their victories over Fullerton and Riverside last

week. Junior forward Shane Schilling, who averaged 20 points and 20

rebounds last week, has brought a new dimension to a team that also

features 6-7 junior Varney Dennis.

Idaho (5-6, 1-1): The Vandals have gained confidence from their

73-66 overtime win at Cal State Northridge, yet this will be a very

challenging week for Idaho. The Vandals have two pivotal home games

this week against Santa Barbara Thursday, and hosting up-and-coming

Cal Poly.

Idaho has had to overcome the loss of point guard Tanoris Shepard,

who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last month.

Justin Logan has taken over as the team’s point guard.

Northridge (6-6, 0-2): Coach Bobby Braswell’s Matadors are on a

four-game losing streak -- this after a five-game winning streak --

because they have not been playing team basketball, the coach said.

Junior John Clark has scored in double figures in four straight

games. He contributed a team-high 13 points in a 59-44 loss to Utah

State.

Long Beach State (1-9, 0-1):Junior guard Tony Darden is one of a

few bright spots for the 49ers, who are on an eight-game losing

streak. This is Long Beach State’s longest losing streak since

1986-87. First-year coach Larry Reynolds said the 49ers really need a

win, mainly to help with the team’s attitude.

UC Riverside (1-7, 0-2): Coach John Masi’s Highlanders have lost

five in a row. Freshman sensation Nate Carter turned in the first

30-point game by a Big West player this season, scoring 30 in a loss

to Cal Poly.

For UC Irvine (7-3, 1-0) and Fullerton (3-8, 1-1) see today’s game

preview.