Westmont College is located in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. Along with UCSB on the North side of town, college basketball fans have the  Westmont Warriors to enjoy around Montecito. Both teams have legendary coaches. Bob Williams is in his 17th season as Head Coach and he leads the Gauchos with a career record of 269-210. The 269 wins are the most in school history.

Head Coach John Moore leads the Warriors of Westmont College. His career record is 498-298 in 26 years as head coach of Fresno Pacific (1988-1993) and Westmont College (1993-present). He is entering his 22nd season as the leader of the Warriors and has only had 1 season with a losing record at Westmont (1996-97). His overall record with the Warriors is 419-224.

Quick Facts: 

Westmont College Warriors

Location:

Santa Barbara, CA

Where Warriors Play:

The Warriors play at Murchison Gymnasium on Westmont College’s campus.

The Princeton Offense:

Coach Moore has installed the Princeton as the primary offensive attack for the Warriors. He believes that every basket should come from an assist.

The Princeton Offense emphasizes:

1. Ball movement to find the open player.

2. Player movements via back-door cuts, as well as driving after on- ball pick and rolls and flaring or curling on off-ball pick and rolls.

3. Communication between players.

Why fans should be hopeful:

The Warriors opened this season with a win against Bethesda and the coaches got an idea of who they can lean on this season. There are three players in particular to focus on.

1. Britton Williams is a 5’11”, 170 lb. guard who transferred from Iona College. He also played a year at CSU Bakersfield. Entering his Junior Season and first year at Westmont, Britton is expected to lead the Warriors attack at the Point Guard position. Coach Moore’s Point Guards initiate the Princeton offense, wait for the power forward or center to set an on-ball screen for them, and look for the Shooting Guard to get open after an off-ball screen. Britton’s collegiate experience will help him transition into the leading role for the Warriors.

2. Daniel Carlin is a 6’9”, 245 lb. center entering his senior season for the Warriors. Last season he averaged 8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Warriors need him to set strong screens for the guards, and be effective scoring in the low post, and defending the opponents post players.

3. Cory Blau is a 6’3” 190 lb. guard who played at Dana Hills High School. During his Senior Season at Dana Hills, he averaged 18 points per game, and shot 56% from the field including 43% from the three-point line. His ability to stretch the floor will give the Warriors Point Guards more space to operate. When the floor is spaced properly, shots will easier to make.

Why fans should be concerned:

The Warriors have three seniors, two juniors, five sophomores, and five freshmen. This is one of the youngest Warriors teams in recent memory. I’m picking them 7th in the GSAC due to their youth and inexperience. The top seven teams in the GSAC will battle each and every game, and I could see the Warriors finishing anywhere from 7th to 5th in the GSAC depending on how effectively they run their offense, and how quickly their young players mature on the court.

Christian Heritage College received its accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 1984 and changed its name in 2005 to its current name, San Diego Christian College.

The Men’s Basketball team has been at the bottom or near the bottom of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) over the entirety of the past four or five years, when I was the the manager of The Master’s College Mustangs from 2010-2014.

The Hawks had a coaching change this season as former head coach Tim Cook resigned after a 25-48 record going 13-33 in conference. The strength of the Golden State Athletic Conference, player injuries and the inability of players to fit together all contributed to the Hawks struggles in the conference. Though they did not win much, they were very competitive the last two seasons.

Quick Facts:

San Diego Christian College

Location:

Santee, CA

Where Team Plays:

Basketball Field House at Grossmont College

The Edgar Mendez Era:

Looking to improve, the Hawks promoted five year assistant coach Edgar Mendez to the head coach position. Edgar was a head coach in the Mexican Professional League, was an assistant coach at Scripps Ranch High School, Cuyamaca Community College, as well as his Alma Mater, Crawford High School. Coach Mendez values hard work, integrity and character and he will work on instilling these attributes in his team by holding his players accountable on and off the court.

Why fans should be hopeful:

This season the Hawks have four Seniors they can depend upon for scoring.

1. Derrick Thompson redshirted for the Hawks last year. He is a 5’8” guard that averaged 12.4 points per game in the Pacific Coast Conference for Southwestern College in the 2011-2012 season. Through the first two games this season he is averaging 17.0 points per game.

2.Raphael Rodrigues is averaging 13.5 points per game through the first two games this season.

3.Peter Beale-Wirsing is a 6′ 8″  forward who is averaging 9.5 points per game early-on this season.

4.Trevor English is averaging 9.0 points per game thus far in the season.

Why fans should be concerned:

The Hawks recent struggles have primarily been on the defensive end of the floor. They averaged 75.2 points per game but gave up 80.3 points per game last season. To be a winning team the Hawks will have to figure out how to give up less than 80 points per game. It will take time for Coach Mendez to implement his defensive philosophies. With a history of poor defense and a new coach, I’m picking the Hawks  to finish eighth in the conference.

William Jessup, the school’s first President, founded San Jose Bible College in 1939. Jessup’s great grandson Rich Jessup was the head boys basketball coach at my high school (North County Christian High School) from 2004-2006 and was the head girls basketball coach in the 2006-2007 season. In 1989, San Jose Bible College was renamed San Jose Christian College. In 2002 the school received regional accredidation by WASC. In 2004, the school became known as its current name (William Jessup University) and it is located in Rocklin, California.

The William Jessup Warriors are the newest members of the Golden State Athletic Conference. The GSAC is one of the best conferences in NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Division One. The Warriors play in the new Warrior Arena, which seats 1,100 fans.

The Warriors are coached by Lance Von Vogt who started out as the director of basketball operations at Georgia State. He served under Lefty Driesell who is the only coach to win 100 games at 4 different colleges (Davidson; Maryland; James Madison; Georgia State). Von Vogt is in his second season with the Warriors. In his first season he led the Warriors to a 15-12 record going 9-3 in conference (California Pacific Conference).

Quick Facts:

William Jessup University

Location:

San Jose, CA

Attendance:

1,100

2013-14 Record:

Overall Record:- 15-12

Record in California Pacific Conference: 9-3

Why fans should be hopeful:

The Warriors return six players including 6’2” wing Justin Downer who averaged 6.1 points per game a year ago. They have added eight recruits this season. The Warriors will rely on three transfers in particular.

1. Chris Murry is a 5’ 11” 175 lb. guard transferring from West Valley College, averaged 16.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game in his two seasons as a Viking while shooting 40% from the three-point line. His ability to impact the game as a scorer, passer and rebounder will be a challenge to whoever is guarding him.

2. Djuan Smith is a 6’3” 200 lb. wing transferring from Peninsula College. While at Peninsula College he played for head coach Mitch Freeman who was an assistant coach on Joe Callero’s coaching staff at Seattle University as well as Cal Poly. During the 2012-2013 season, Djuan was named to the NWAAC’s (Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges) All-Defensive team as well as NWAAC’s Second Team. His size and strength will allow him to drive past defenders and finish through contact.

3. Desmond Floyd is a 6’6” 240 lb. forward transferring from Mid-Continent University where he redshirted for the Cougars. In high school he averaged 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in his senior season at Chandler High School in Phoenix. Coach Von Vogt is looking forward to Desmond’s ability to defend post players and rebound missed shots.

Why should fans be concerned:

The Warriors are projected to finish last in the GSAC because it is their first year. As one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA, the GSAC consistently has 3 or 4 teams make the National Tournament. The teams that make the tournament have go to players and depth on the bench. I believe depth is developed over time while in the GSAC. The competition level of the Cal Pac is a notch below that of the GSAC. A team jumping up a level will have difficulty winning in its first season. While the Warriors may not win many GSAC games I expect them to remain competitive by following the diligent leadership of their head coach.