Aloha, Hawaii! (We're gonna need a bigger bus!)

Finally, some big news from the Big West, as the University of Hawaii has been accepted as a full member, beginning in the fall of 2012.  The Rainbow Warriors and Wahine will play all of their sports in the Big West, except for Men's Volleyball and Swimming, which are in the MPSF, and Football, which will move to the Mountain West.  (Pertinent links have been added to the side menu.)

Reportedly, Cal State Bakersfield and UC San Diego also applied for membership, but their petitions never came to a vote.  UCSD is still Division II at the moment, but is exploring a move up to D-I.

Get on the bus. 'Bows!  :)

"Shaq" comes to The Beach!

No, it's not the former Lakers center, it's guard Shaquille Hunter, according to Frank Burlison in his blog.  Hunter is a 6' 2" senior from Villa Park H.S., who has reportedly given a verbal commitment to Dan Monson's 49ers for 2011-12, joining Corona Centennial PG Michael Caffey.

Here are some links to further info about Mr. Hunter:

OC Register's OCVarsity.com.
Grunion Gazette story (guys formerly from LBPost.com)
Basketball Realm (lists other schools recruiting him: CSUN, USC, Stanford, San Jose St, UCR, USD & LMU)

Some Preseason News

First of all, the men's hoop recruiting season for 2011 is already off to a rousing start with a verbal commitment from well-regarded PG Michael Caffey, a senior this school year at Corona Centennial HS. (Props to GolfShark on the board for breaking the news.)  Caffey is anywhere from 5'10" to 6'1", depending on where you look, and averaged over 12 points and 7 assists per game last season.  He should eventually take over Casper Ware's spot in the lineup once he matriculates in a couple of years.  More info can be found on Caffey in the following links:

ESPNU
Scout.com (not much here)
Rivals/Yahoo
MaxPreps
Branch West (Spring tournament story from 2009...note the height!)
examiner.com (Named All-Riverside County 2nd team last season)
Press Telegram (Frank Burlison's story)
LBPostSports.com story

The athletic season is almost here, starting with a Women's Soccer exhibition vs. SDSU at George Allen Field Saturday, 8/14.  Women's Volleyball begins a week later on 8/21 with an exhibition vs. an Alumnae squad in the West Gym...er, the Goldmine, starting at 7pm.  They host the Baden Classic the following Friday and Saturday, taking on Rutgers, UNLV, Sacred Heart and St. Mary's, all in the Walter Pyramid.

Both the men's and women's hoop skeds are out, though the ladies are still looking for a couple of teams to join themselves and NC State in their holiday tournament December 19-20.  They also host Oregon, San Diego, and Joan Bonvicini's Seattle U. squad.  The Men open hosting SDSU, and also welcome LMU and a couple of D2 teams to the Pyramid, along with an ESPN "Bracket Buster" opponent in February.  Both teams' summer prospecti are available on the school website.

Women's Hoop Rates with Sagarin

I know many of us Beach fans who follow women's basketball lament over how horrible the conference is.  Sites that track their versions of the infamous RPI have had the conference rated towards the bottom of D-1.  However, looking at the Sagarin ratings pages today, I noticed the women's Big West, at #17,  is actually rated HIGHER than the men's conference, which is currently 18th.  Wynn's Wonders are rated #174, 4th best in the Big West, while Monson's Minions currently rank #144, and #2 in the conference behind Pacific.  It's hardly anything to get too excited over, but just maybe, there's a hint of improvement after all in Big West women's hoops.  Our ladies will try to keep moving up the Big West ladder tomorrow at the Pyramid against Northridge, rated # 296 in D-1 according to Sagarin, and at the bottom of the conference.  Tip-off is at 7pm.

BTW, props to MVB Opposite Hitter Dean Bittner for being named AVCA National Player of the Week, for last week's dominating 20-24 hitting performance in the Niners' sweep at Pepperdine.  They return home Friday to face improved UCSD at 7pm.