By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team officially opens the 2024-25 season this week hosting the West Region Crossover on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
WWU welcomes No. 12 nationally-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal Poly Humboldt and GNAC program Simon Fraser to Bellingham for the two-day tournament. The Vikings take on the No. 12 Toros Friday at 7:30 pm, with SFU entertaining Cal Poly Humboldt in the opening game of the tournament at 5 pm.
Admission to all games will be free to military veterans, active military personnel, first responders and WWU students. Families of veterans, military personnel and first responders will also gain free admission by checking in at the Carver Gym Box Office.
WWU is coming off a 17-12 overall season and 9-9 campaign in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play in 2023-24, just missing a postseason playoff spot. The Vikings are selected No. 6 in the preseason GNAC poll while gathering one first-place vote.
Following the season-opening home tournament, the Vikings take to the road facing Cal State San Marcos and Azusa Pacific in the West Region Challenge November 15-16 in Azusa, California.
The Vikings have now won 14 of their last 15 season-opening games, including wins in the first two games last season at the Canadian Tip-Off Classic over Daemen (83-72) and St. Edward's (97-93).
All tournament games in the West Region Crossover will feature a live (and free) webcast on YouTube via Vikings TV and live statistical updates at wwuvikings.com/MBB_Stats.
Here is a look at the series history between WWU and its opponents this week:
- Cal State Dominguez Hills: Defeated the Toros last season 81-58 in Arcata, California…WWU is 5-2 all-time vs. CSUDH with a current two-game winning streak…marks fourth consecutive season playing the Toros.
- Cal Poly Humboldt: Defeated Cal Poly Humboldt 95-69 last season on the Lumberjacks home court…won two straight and five of last six vs. CPH dating back to 2006 season…a former conference rival of the Vikings, WWU and Humboldt played every season from 1998-99 through 2004-06.
WWU guards Tijan Saine and Will Wilson earned a spot on the 2024-25 GNAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference team. Saine and Wilson were part of a group of 15 players selected to the preseason all-conference team prior to the start of the 2024-25 season. Both players earned All-GNAC honors following their WWU debut in 2023-24 with Saine being selected as the conference Freshman of the Year and Wilson earning All-GNAC Honorable Mention.
2024-25 GNAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
The Vikings open the 2024-25 season predicted to finish in a postseason spot in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. WWU received 52 points in the survey of the conference's 10 head coaches. The Vikings are coming off a 17-12 overall season and just missed qualifying for the GNAC Championships finishing 9-9 in the conference for 7th place.
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2024-25 GNAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
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Rk
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Team (1st Place Votes)
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2023-24
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GNAC (Place)
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Pts.
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1.
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Central Washington (4)
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22-10
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11-7 (T3rd)
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90
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2.
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Montana State Billings (3)
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20-10
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14-4 (1st)
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85
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3.
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Northwest Nazarene
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17-10
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13-5 (2nd)
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70
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4.
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Alaska Anchorage (1)
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22-11
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10-8 (T5th)
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69
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Saint Martin's (1)
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21-8
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11-7 (T3rd)
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69
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6.
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Western Washington (1)
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17-12
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9-9 (7th)
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52
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7.
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Seattle Pacific
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17-15
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10-8 (T6th)
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49
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8.
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Simon Fraser
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6-23
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4-14 (9th)
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25
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9.
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Western Oregon
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5-21
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2-16 (10th)
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21
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10.
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Alaska Fairbanks
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8-18
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6-12 (8th)
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19
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Votes awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis
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Fans wishing to purchase season tickets for the 2024-25 season purchase their season tickets online via WWUVikings.com/Tickets or call the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 to catch all the action during the season in Carver Gym.
Head coach Tony Dominguez is in his 13th year and 12th season at the helm of the program, and 30th overall at WWU. Dominguez has led the Vikings to a 214-115 record (.650) and was the 2016-17 GNAC Coach of the Year. He is assisted by AJ Albritton (3rd season), Bob Hofstetter (12th season) and Atiavo Jude (12th season).
One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, WWU has recorded a 20-win season in eight of the last 13 seasons. WWU is a six-time Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion and has appeared in the NCAA II Elite 8 three times. The Vikings won the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championship and advanced the following season to the NCAA II Final Four. Western has 20-win seasons in three of the last six years (and seven of 11) and won the 2020 GNAC Championships Tournament. WWU is amongst the top 15 winningest Division II programs with its 1,560 all-time victories.
