Cal Pac Men’s Basketball: Season Preview
In California Pacific Conference Coaches Preseason Poll, five teams received first-place votes with Antelope Valley picking up seven as the clear favorite in the 2023-24 season. The Pioneers, ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, are coming off a stellar season, going 19-1 in conference play and 25-1 overall. Saint Katherine, UC Merced, Westcliff, and La Sierra also earned first-place votes in the poll.
Non-conference action begins this tomorrow, Oct. 26, with three games: SAGU American Indian at Pacific Union, Cal Maritime at Menlo, and Simpson at Oregon Tech. The action will continue with four more matchups over the weekend. For the complete Cal Pac men's basketball schedule, click here.
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
- Antelope Valley (7 1st place votes)
- Saint Katherine (1)
- UC Merced (1)
- Westcliff (1)
- Benedictine Mesa
- Cal Maritime
- Embry-Riddle
- La Sierra (1)
- Simpson
- Park-Gilbert
- Pacific Union
ANTELOPE VALLEY PIONEERS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 19-1
2022-23 Overall record: 26-3
Head Coach: Jordan Mast (6th season)
Key Losses: Andrew Lewis, Elias Ezenekwe, LeVontay Ott, Aaris Bonds
Key Returners: Michael Hayes, Arik Nicholas, Alyion Stubbs, Malachi Coleman
Key Additions: CJ Robinson, Sam Onu, Rodney Ray, Bright Kari, Christian Taylor
Overview: The Pioneers are coming off an historic year, posting the highest winning percentage in school history while returning to the NAIA National Championship for the fourth time in six years. UAV lost four key players but return Hayes, the Cal Pac Player of the Year, as well as Nicholas, an Honorable Mention last season.
SAINT KATHERINE FIREBIRDS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 16-4
2022-23 Overall record: 20-8
Head Coach: Kevin Williamson (5th season)
Key Losses: Cesar Meza, Jacob Durham, Bryan Baptiste, Darius Jackson, Javier Gallardo, David Petrusev
Key Returners: Chris Harper, Maur Tablada, David Odinigwe, Eljay Gallegos, Jayden Swanson, Tim Parker
Key Additions: Divine Nwoko, Logan Phillips, Dorian Harris, Jaylan Turner, Tampa Scott, Xavier Cooper
Overview: The Firebirds posted the best record in program history last year and will be relying on a lot of new faces to try and match that this season. Meza and Durham were First Team picks last year, but Harper, a Second Team selection, and Tablada, the Cal Pac Freshman of the Year, will have bigger roles.
UC MERCED BOBCATS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 14-6
2022-23 Overall record: 21-9
Head Coach: Kevin Pham (9th season)
Key Losses: Mason Westlake, Kingsley Obiorah, George Nze
Key Returners: Chris Bramah, Cameron Brown, Jayson Wiltz, Josiah Ajiake, DeDrick Martin, Jaron Mertle, David Chukwuemeka
Key Additions: Jaden Lebel, Jon Taylor, Blake Hudson, Evin Goodwin, Brandon Harmon, Cyprus Graham, Skylar Robinson, Landon Edmond, Austin Dewes, Aidan Sevilla
Overview: The Bobcats set a new standard for total wins in a season last year and bring in a large crop of newcomers to keep building in that direction. Bramah, an Honorable Mention last season, will play a key role in blending the returning youth with the incoming talent.
WESTCLIFF WARRIORS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 14-6
2022-23 Overall record: 18-9
Head Coach: Jerred Cook (2nd season)
Key Losses: Abdul Abdullah, Cap Uzan, Joshua Harrison, Gary Harris, Josh Jones
Key Returners: Micaiah Hankins, Marius Ntwari, Ray Witt, Jr., Cam Snyder
Key Additions: Demetrius Douglas, Rayven Turner, Marques Sales, John Duff, Jamal Briscoe, Justin Boateng, Korey Hess
Overview: The Warriors qualified for the NAIA National Championship last season and look to make a return this year. Hankins, a double-digit scorer last season, will look to blend with transfers to tackle a challenging non-conference schedule.
BENEDICTINE MESA REDHAWKS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 8-12
2022-23 Overall record: 10-18
Head Coach: Frank Woodford (4th season)
Key Losses: Tre Carolina, Michael Kirkland, Dalton Smith, Tyler Fernstrom
Key Returners: Damian Zivak, Quency Reece, Tanner Crawford, Alphonse Alfred,
Key Additions: Devon Franks, Emad Elniel, Eric Norton, D'Andre Johnson
Overview: The Redhawks have a deep roster that has size and scoring, which put them in the top half of the conference in the poll.
CAL MARITIME KEELHAULERS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 12-8
2022-23 Overall record: 13-15
Head Coach: Colin Johnson (1st season)
Key Losses: Miles Pennington, Divine Nwoko Braxton Adderley
Key Returners: Shawn Kelly, Lunden Taylor, Everrett Perrott, Justice Cole
Key Additions: DeAndre Minor, Aidan Kwan, Illyas Rafiq
Overview: The Keelhaulers are looking to build off a successful conference run last year with some key returners and a good group of recruits. Taylor, an Honorable Mention All-Cal Pac last year, will be looked to lead the team.
EMBRY-RIDDLE EAGLES
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 7-13
2022-23 Overall record: 9-18
Head Coach: Ben Tucker (1st year)
Key Losses: Conner Verdugo, Chase Verdugo, Trevor Weir
Key Returners: David Teibo, Dennis Pomazanov, Christmas Togiai, Jr.
Key Additions: John Marshall, Brett Bush, Zack Moritz, Conner Ivy, Toby Schons, Dallan Lilly
Overview: The Eagles have a solid returning core, led by Pomazanov, who as a Second Team All-Cal Pac pick last season, Teibo, and Togiai. ERAU will be building them with five freshmen.
LA SIERRA GOLDEN EAGLES
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 4-16
2022-23 Overall record: 4-24
Head Coach: Ethan Lowe
Key Losses: Weston McKenney, D'Lano Beckles, Uriel Lejtman, Deandro Worrell, Jr., Duane Darrett, Jr., Alton Lister, Jr., Caleb Tinker
Key Returners: Blake Bluitt, Aaron Tabarez
Key Additions: Dakhari Lewis, Tyler Broughton, Triston Broughton, Benjamin Ramirez, Ben Todd
Overview: The Golden Eagles lost a lot of offense off last year's senior-heavy roster and will need some young returners and incoming players to fill the void.
SIMPSON RED HAWKS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 9-11
2022-23 Overall record: 13-16
Head Coach: David Cone (1st season)
Key Losses: Javonntie Jackson, Gary Mims, Aaron Burt, Daylon Potts
Key Returners: Akin Branco, Drey Ubas, Morgan Cox, Kevin Robello
Key Additions: Kellen Torrey, Sam Shields, Garrett Streufert, Jace Mills, Osumanu Nuhu
Overview: The Red Hawks lost some explosive offense with Jackson, Mims, and Burt gone, but they have a solid group returning led by Branco, Cox, and Ubas.
PARK-GILBERT BUCCANEERS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 3-17
2022-23 Overall record: 5-23
Head Coach: Gordon Stubblefield (3rd season)
Key Losses: Zach Lewkowski, Tre Adams, Jaylen Solich, Davon Cobbs, Olgierd Dmochewicz, Vincent Cooke, Zrebrick Humphrey, Jr.,
Key Returners: LC Ballard, Aidan Moreno, Kylan Shorts, Carson Mittun
Key Additions: Colton McGinnis, Devin Irving, DJ Frye, Hunter Robbins, Nate Stewart
Overview: The Buccaneers have some rebuilding to do and may have added some pieces that will do just that. Ballard, an Honorable Mention All-Cal Pac last season, leads a list of returnees.
PACIFIC UNION PIONEERS
2022-23 Cal Pac record: 4-16
2022-23 Overall record: 4-25
Head Coach: Jordan Greenwell (2nd season)
Key Losses: Ricky Hamilton-Holland, Harkaran Siduh, Anthony Lopez
Key Returners: Shemarr Parker, Sterlen Thomas, Jason Vasques
Key Additions: Jacob Ebert, Isaiah Hawk, Cameron Pieters, DeMarre Walker, Tommy Williams
Overview: The Pioneers have shown they can score with anyone in the league, and they bring in another batch of scorers to keep the pressure on opposing teams.
UPCOMING GAMES
Thursday, Oct. 26
SAGU American Indian at Pacific Union
Cal Maritime at Menlo
Simpson at Oregon Tech
Friday, Oct. 27
Justice at Saint Katherine
Saturday, Oct. 28
Menlo at Simpson
Bethesda at Saint Katherine
Sunday, Oct. 29
La Sierra at Redlands
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Justice at Park-Gilbert
Wednesday, Nov. 1
Montana-Northern at La Sierra
Embry-Riddle at Grand Canyon (exhibition)
Thursday, Nov. 2
Cal Maritime at Alaska-Anchorage
Bellevue (Neb.) at Park-Gilbert
Benedictine Mesa at West Coast Baptist
Friday, Nov. 3
Cal Maritime at Alaska-Anchorage
Saturday, Nov. 4
Bellevue (Neb.) at Embry-Riddle
Benedictine Mesa at Life Pacific
Sunday, Nov. 5
Portland Bible at Simpson
Monday, Nov. 6
Montana-Northern at Pacific Union