UH-Hilo Picked to Finish 10th in PacWest MBK

The University of Hawai’i at Hilo men’s basketball team was picked to finish tenth in the PacWest for men’s basketball, according to a vote by the league’s coaches prior to the start of the season.

All but one first place vote went to California Baptist, and because coaches aren’t allowed to vote for their own teams, it makes the Lancers as close as it gets to a unanimous first-place selection in the league. Brigham Young University-Hawai’i received the only other first place vote.

The Vulcans, under head coach GE Coleman, return five players from last year, including two starters. Point guard Vandyon Lockett averaged 11.4 points and a team-best 2.8 assists per game last year, while post presence Darius Johnson-Wilson averaged 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per night.

Also returning will be sophomore Randan Berinobis (3.0 ppg), Makiai Gahan (seven games played last year), and Roel Marasigian (three games played).

Ten new players will join the fold this season, including four seniors, two juniors, and four freshmen.

2015-2016 PacWest Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll (first place votes in parenthesis)

1. California Baptist (13) – 195 points
2. BYU-Hawai’i (1) – 169
3. Dixie State – 166
4. Azusa Pacific – 146
5. Chaminade – 130
6. Hawai’i Pacific – 123
7. Point Loma Nazarene – 120
8. Concordia – 101
9. Dominican – 91
10. Hawai’i-Hilo – 74
11. Fresno Pacific – 55
12. Academt of Art – 48
13. Notre Dame de Namur – 32
14. Holy Names – 20

2015-2016 Preseason All-PacWest Men’s Basketball Team

Guards – Scott Friel (BYU-Hawai’i), Kuany Kuany (Chaminade), Mason Sawyer (Dixie State), Gelaun Wheelwright (Cal Baptist)

Forwards – Ian Harward (BYU-Hawai’i), Luke Hager (Hawai’i Pacific)