UCI Picked Second in Big West Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
October 15, 2026 | Women's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine was picked to finish second in the 2026-27 Big West Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll the conference office announced Thursday morning.
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The Anteaters, who received one first-place vote, finished with 108 points. They were only 12 points behind UC San Diego (120), which secured 10 of the 12 first-place votes. UCI and UCSD were Big West regular season co-champions in 2025-26.
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UC Santa Barbara came in third with 94 points, while conference newcomers California Baptist (93), Sacramento State (88), and Utah Valley placed fourth, fifth, and sixth. The Hornets earned the final first-place nod.
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The 'Eaters return eight letterwinners and three starters from last year's team that went 26-7 (17-3 Big West). They set program records in both overall and conference victories en route to their fifth consecutive 20-win season. UC Irvine also brings in seven newcomers with four Division I transfers and three freshmen.
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2026-27 Big West Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. UC San Diego - 120 (10)
2. UC Irvine - 108 (1)
3. UC Santa Barbara - 94
4. California Baptist - 93
5. Sacramento State - 88 (1)
6. Utah Valley - 70
7. UC Riverside - 59
8. CSUN - 53
9. Cal Poly - 35
T10. Cal State Bakersfield - 25
T10. Long Beach State - 25
12. Cal State Fullerton - 22
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2026-27 All-Big West Preseason Coaches' Team
Zoe Borter (UCSB), Sr., Forward
Erin Condron (UCSD), Sr., Forward/Center
Jenessa Cotton (Sac State), Jr., Forward
Lev Feiman (UCSD), So., Guard
Lauren Olsen (CBU), So., Guard
Natalie Picton (Sac State), Sr., Guard
Rosa Smith (UCSD), Gr., Guard
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The Anteaters, who received one first-place vote, finished with 108 points. They were only 12 points behind UC San Diego (120), which secured 10 of the 12 first-place votes. UCI and UCSD were Big West regular season co-champions in 2025-26.
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UC Santa Barbara came in third with 94 points, while conference newcomers California Baptist (93), Sacramento State (88), and Utah Valley placed fourth, fifth, and sixth. The Hornets earned the final first-place nod.
Â
The 'Eaters return eight letterwinners and three starters from last year's team that went 26-7 (17-3 Big West). They set program records in both overall and conference victories en route to their fifth consecutive 20-win season. UC Irvine also brings in seven newcomers with four Division I transfers and three freshmen.
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2026-27 Big West Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. UC San Diego - 120 (10)
2. UC Irvine - 108 (1)
3. UC Santa Barbara - 94
4. California Baptist - 93
5. Sacramento State - 88 (1)
6. Utah Valley - 70
7. UC Riverside - 59
8. CSUN - 53
9. Cal Poly - 35
T10. Cal State Bakersfield - 25
T10. Long Beach State - 25
12. Cal State Fullerton - 22
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2026-27 All-Big West Preseason Coaches' Team
Zoe Borter (UCSB), Sr., Forward
Erin Condron (UCSD), Sr., Forward/Center
Jenessa Cotton (Sac State), Jr., Forward
Lev Feiman (UCSD), So., Guard
Lauren Olsen (CBU), So., Guard
Natalie Picton (Sac State), Sr., Guard
Rosa Smith (UCSD), Gr., Guard
Tuesday, August 25
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, August 18
Friday, August 14
