Preseason Competition Provides Clearer Picture On Top Teams

Preseason Competition Provides Clearer Picture On Top Teams

Thanks to an increase in preseason opportunities and the number of teams participating in preseason competitions/jamborees/scrimmages we have a better idea of the top programs in the state. This season, three California community colleges added programs, giving the state 100 men’s basketball teams. Along with a growth of men’s basketball, the state has loosed restrictions on preseason events, giving the student-athletes more opportunities to showcase their skills before four-year coaches and national recruiters.

And, in the process, we get a clearer picture on who looks to be a state title contender in 2020.

This year, the preseason California Community Colleges Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Poll is based off of who looked good last month, not who won last year and who was still playing in March of 2019.

Also, in a first four-year coaches, the best recruiting service directors and college coaches were able to provide insight on who the top teams were at such events as the Cerrito Jamboree and the San Francisco Jamboree and other events leading up to the state or practice on October 1.

Needless to say, views were all over the board, but one name stood out — San Francisco City College. The state runner-up last year, the Rams have won 15 conference championships under head coach Justin Labagh and three state championships. It appears the Rams are poised for a run at another state title this season. As one community college coach said, San Francisco’s top five players should be ranked No. 1, the Rams’ second five should be ranked 5th and the third group should come in ranked 10th or 11th.

While San Francisco will open the season ranked No. 1 there appears to plenty competition looming on horizon from other programs worthy of holding the No. 1 spot. The south has 16 teams in the top 30 teams. How good does California men’s basketball appear this season? A few teams who had good showing in the jamborees didn’t even make the top 30, such as Cuesta and Long Beach City.

Twenty-four teams in this season’s preseason poll won 20 games or more last year. Two — San Francisco and Fullerton — won 30 or more; seven won less than 20 games last season, including No. 2 San Diego City; and three had sub-.500 records in 2019-20.

The 2019-20 season kicks off on October 31. And, on Saturday, November 2 — No. 1 San Francisco hosts No. 2 San Diego City at 7 pm. In other words, stay tuned and check back often.

2019 California Community Colleges Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Preseason Poll
1. San Francisco City (31-2 last year)
2. San Diego City (16-13)
3. Las Positas (21-7)
4. East Los Angeles (24-5)
5. Fullerton (30-3, defending state champs)
6. Sequoias (22-9)
7. Mt. San Jacinto (22-6)
8. Fresno City (28-4)
9. San Bernardino Valley (22-7)
10. Southwestern (25-5)
11. San Joaquin Delta (23-7)
12. Santa Monica (20-12)
13. Yuba (25-5)
14. Allan Hancock (23-7)
15. Saddleback (19-9)
15. Sierra (11-17)
16. Cerritos (22-7)
17. Citrus (25-7)
18. Columbia (21-8)
19. Ventura (17-12)
20. Santa Rosa (23-8)
21. West Los Angeles (21-9)
22. Canada (22-8)
24. Chabot (11-17)
24. Chaffey (23-8)
25. Gavilan (27-4)
26. Santiago Canyon (20-9)
27. Cabrillo (20-8)
28. Butte (15-13)
29. Riverside (20-10)
30. Diablo Valley (9-16)