Sports|Sports Teams

The Best Big West Basketball Teams

Ranker NCAA Basketball
Updated July 10, 2024 9 items
Voting Rules
Vote up the Big West schools with the historically best basketball team.

The best Big West basketball teams create a fun atmosphere when playing each other for the chance to become the top squad in the conference.

Few prospects from the college basketball teams in the Big West make the sport's top level. Even the best Big West players often top out as talented NBA role players, like Brian Shaw, Bruce Bowen and Byron Russell. 

While no Big West program has made a Final Four, UC Irvine left a mark on the 2019 NCAA Tournament, busting brackets with a first-round upset of Kansas State.

So which Big West team gets your vote for the conference's best?

  • UC Irvine Anteaters
    • Photo:
      • UC Irvine
    1

    UC Irvine Anteaters

    All-time record: 626-643
    Conferences titles: 6
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 0

    Notable players: Tom Tolbert

    • Location: Irvine, California
    17 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Long Beach State 49ers
    • Photo:
      • Long Beach
    2

    Long Beach State 49ers

    All-time record: 815-680
    Conferences titles:14
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 0

    Notable players: Bryon Russell, Lucious Harris

    • Location: Long Beach, California
    15 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors
    • Photo:
      • University of Hawaii
    3

    Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors

    All-time record: 758-681
    Conferences titles: 3
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 0

    Notable players: Anthony Carter

    • Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
    14 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
    • Photo:
      • UC Santa Barbara
    4

    UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

    All-time record: 840-748
    Conferences titles: 4
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 0

    Notable players: Brian Shaw

    • Location: Santa Barbara, California
    13 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Cal State Fullerton Titans
    • Photo:
      • Cal State Fullerton
    5

    Cal State Fullerton Titans

    All-time record: 624-689
    Conferences titles: 2
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 0

    Notable players: Bruce Bowen, Cedric Ceballos

    • Location: Fullerton, California
    12 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Cal Poly Mustangs
    • Photo:
      • Cal Poly
    6

    Cal Poly Mustangs

    All-time record: 296-439
    Conferences titles: 1
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 0

    Notable players: David Nwaba

    • Location: San Luis Obispo, California
    9 votes
    Is this impressive?