The 2007-08 Big West Men's Basketball Specialty Awards had a historical flair to them as Frank Robinson of Cal State Fullerton won Defensive Player of the Year, Deon Tresvant of Cal State Northridge claimed Best Sixth Man, while Chris Devine of UC Santa Barbara and Christian Soto shared the Best Hustle award.

The awards were voted on by the conference's nine head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own players.  This is the eighth straight year that the Big West has handed out the All-Specialty Team awards.

Robinson, a 6-4 guard, is one of the top all-around threats in the Big West. The former transfer from East Carolina averaged a career-best 16.1 points, but it was his prowess on the glass and in the passing lanes that got him the award. Robinson averaged a remarkable 6.9 rebounds a game and upped his work on the backboard to 7.1 per outing in conference play. He also picked up 36 steals and led the club with 14 blocked shots. Over the course of the season, Robinson was his club's leading rebounder on eight different occasions and picked up the most steals six times. This also marks his second All-Specialty award as he claimed the Best Sixth Man in 2005-06. It is the third consecutive season a Titan has won an All-Specialty award.

Tresvant, a 6-0 guard, has personified instant offense for the Matadors this season. He ranks 10th in the Big West in scoring (14.0), third in three-pointers made (82) and seventh in the Big West in three-point percentage (.416). He hit seven treys on his way to a career-best 31 points in a come-from-behind win at UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 5) and canned six threes in the second half of a win at UC Riverside (Jan. 16). A true sixth man who did not start in the 29 games he played in, Tresvant is attempting to become the first CSUN reserve to lead the team in scoring in program history and is the second Sixth Man award winner in Matador annals (Lionel Benjamin - 2002-03).

Devine, a 6-8 forward, is now a two-time winner of the Best Hustle honor in his first three seasons after winning it in 2005-06.  An all-around performer for the league champion Gauchos, Devine is averaging 12.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 29 games, all starts.  He's also picked up 36 steals, 41 assists and 55 offensive rebounds for UCSB. Devine is also an excellent offensive option as he shoots 50.8% from the field and 78.0% from the free throw line.  

Soto, a 6-8 forward, is the first Highlander recipient of the Best Hustle award, but it marks the third time in four years a UCR player has earned an All-Specialty honor.  In his 28 games, 27 of them in the starting position, Soto is averaging 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds. He is all over the floor for first-year head coach Jim Wooldridge as he has collected 31 steals, a team-best 15 blocks and chipped in 23 assists. He is also a constant on the offensive glass with 41 caroms off UCR misses and has shot 49.5% from the floor.

 
2007-08 BIG WEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Frank Robinson, Cal State Fullerton

2007-08 BIG WEST BEST SIXTH MAN
Deon Tresvant, Cal State Northridge

2007-08 CO-BIG WEST BEST HUSTLE PLAYERS
Chris Devine, UC Santa Barbara
Christian Soto, UC Riverside