UC Irvine Anteaters
2012-13: 21-16 (11-7)
In-conference offense: 1.03 points per possession (7th)
In-conference defense: 1.00 points per possession (2nd)
Projected starting lineup
UC Irvine is eager to pair the talented 7-foot-5 freshman center Mamadou Ndiaye with 6-foot-8 Will Davis II, a duo that promises to make it a nightmare for opponents to score inside. The Anteaters were already a stout defensive unit last season, allowing just a point per possession in conference play, and Davis was a one-man wrecking crew who blocked shots at a higher rate than any other Big West player. It will be scary to see how good the addition of Ndiaye can make Russell Turner's team defensively, and perhaps offensively as well. To say the very least, UCI should dominate on the glass, and having a 7-foot-5 threat is sure to have a huge impact on the complexion of the Big West.