Pacific Tigers 2024-25 Preview: Trying to Not Be Terrible
After a historically terrible season in 2023-24, Pacific looks to rebound with an intriguing coaching hire
As a kid, the Choose Your Own Adventure books were amazing to read. As one explored the world of mystery and suspense, the reader was able to pick the next move for the main character. For the Pacific Tigers, let’s explore a choose your own adventure. First path to choose: 17 game losing streak. Second path: final game of 2023-24 was a 102-43 loss to Pepperdine. Third path: the least efficient offensive and defensive team in the West Coast Conference last year. Final path: hiring Dave Smart who compiled a 591-48 record in Canada.
After ignoring the first three options and choosing the Smart(er) option, Tiger fans enter the 2024-25 season with optimism. In fairness, it wasn’t that long ago that Pacific had a good team. In the 2019-20 season under Damon Stoudamire, the Tigers won 23 games. However, since joining the WCC in 2013, Pacific has only two winning seasons. Can Pacific at least be competitive this season? Will Dave Smart’s success continue in the United States?
Overview
University of the Pacific Tigers (Stockton, CA)
1x Elite Eight
3x Sweet Sixteen
9 NCAA tournament appearances
Last season: 6-26 (0-16); last in WCC
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Dave Smart (1st year at Pacific)
Assistants: Clay Wilson, Craig Beaucamp, Garrett Bridges
Did you know? Michael Olowokandi averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game as a senior and was selected #1 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft.
Offseason Changes
Key Departures: Everyone
Incoming Transfers & Freshmen: Guard - Lamar Washington (Texas Tech); Jefferson Koulibaly (SMU); Wing - Elijah Fisher (DePaul); Petar Krivockapic (FIU); Donyae May (Oklahoma Connors State College); Seth Jones (Tallahassee CC); Eddie Jallow Hedqvist (Sweden’s Marks Gymnasium); Elias Ralph (University of Victoria in British Columbia); Kris Keinys (Minnesota); Solomon Ominu (Our Saviour Lutheran); Jazz Gardner (Nevada)
Key Returning Players: Burke Smith
Projected Starting Lineup
G- Donyae May, 6-0 (Jr.) (12 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.0 rpg .428 3PT)
G - Lamar Washington, 6-4 (Jr.) (2.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
G/F - Elijah Fisher, 6-6 (Jr.) (10.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
F - Elias Ralph, 6-7 (Sr.) (15.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, .405 3PT)
C - Jazz Gardner, 7-0 (So.) (2.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
Three Points:
Elias Ralph is the Player to Watch.
There are no predicted all-conference players on this team. While Jazz Gardner is intriguing, Elias Ralph is the player to watch. At 6’7, Ralph has the skill set of a guard and shot 40% from 3 last year in Canada. Ralph could be a match-up nightmare for opposing teams and his trajectory likely pairs with how good Pacific can be this year.
Big Non-Conference Games
Pacific probably should have played a lighter non-conference schedule in the first year of Dave Smart. Even with a revamped roster and new culture, Pacific is predicted to be at the bottom of the West Coast Conference. Before taking on the likes of Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s, Pacific faces current Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, and UNLV - all on the road.
Can Pacific sniff the postseason?
It seems really unlikely. Making the jump from a six-win team to any sort of postseason berth would be incredible. Now add an entirely new coaching staff and a roster of guys who never played together. It isn’t happening. Pacific should be aiming for a .500 season and a top-8 finish in the WCC. If they accomplish those goals, it is a successful year for Coach Smart.
