UC-Irvine won at least a share of the Big West Conference regular season title in four of the last seven seasons. Last Year? UC-San Diego, not San Diego, swept the Big West Conference by winning the regular season and the conference tournament. Does the road to a Big West title go through UC-San Diego again? Can one of the other California schools step up? Is this a chance for Hawaii to take the Big West? We’ve dug through the rosters and found a team that you’ll want to have as a part of your conference champion portfolio.
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2025-26 Big West Conference Basketball Champion Best Bet
Hawaii to win the Big West Conference
While UC-Santa Barbara and UC-Irvine have solid rosters on paper, Hawaii returns a bit more and has a roster built to play multiple styles. They are also entering year 12 with head coach Eran Ganot.
The Rainbow Warriors return two starters from last year. Forward Gytis Nemeiksa was the leading scorer for Hawaii, and he’s back for another year. Hawaii also brings back point guard Aaron Hunkin Claytor. The Rainbow Warriors also return graduate guard AJ Economou and big man Harry Rouhliadeff. Economou should see a larger role for Hawaii, and Rouhliadeff started 17 games last year for the Rainbow Warriors.
When it comes to the wings, graduate transfer Tanner Cuff comes to the island from Evansville. Cuff adds experience to the wing and scored 8.8 points per game last year.
Dre Bullock moved from South Dakota to Hawaii this year. Bullock scored 12.2 points and pulled down 3.6 rebounds per game. The Rainbow Warriors also added the 2024-25 NJCAA Player of the Year in Isaac Finlinson. Finlinson measures at 6’8″ and shot 38.5% from deep last year.
The Rainbow Warriors also added size with senior transfer Isaac Johnson. Johnson didn’t play much at Utah State, but he’s a true seven-footer and could start for the Rainbow Warriors this year.
Hawaii added to their backcourt with Hunter Erickson from Utah and D2 transfer Isaiah Kerr.
The Rainbow Warriors will have a solid rotation with experienced players in the starting lineup and off the bench. Hawaii has enough size to compete with the few teams in the Big West that play through the post and offer enough in the backcourt to move the offense and manage the perimeter.
The Rainbow Warriors are a veteran group that should compete night in and night out in the Big West. It wouldn’t come as a shock to see Hawaii step up this year and win the conference, given the talent and experience they have throughout their roster. UC-Irvine will be the favorite, but Hawaii is a true dark horse that can compete in this conference. Lock up the Rainbow Warriors early to get the best of the number.
The College Basketball Experience
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