Posted on October 30, 2022
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With the beginning of the faculty basketball season simply across the nook, it’s time to take a fast take a look at the West Coast Convention, dwelling of perennial energy Gonzaga and 9 different non-public, faith-based establishments.
The prohibitive favourite has been all however determined with the Zags taking over the place they left off final season, however there could possibly be some wiggle room for the opposite groups within the prime half of the Convention.
Let’s take a fast team-by-team take a look at how the WCC packages stack up in these early Energy Rankings.
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs
As all the time, Gonzaga is the crew to beat within the WCC.
After a scare within the offseason, they’re reloaded with expertise with the return of Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, and Rasir Bolton.
This trio alone ought to show sufficient to win alone, however since they’re the Bulldogs, in addition they added Wright State switch Malachi Smith who dedicated to this system within the offseason.
Although they misplaced lottery choose Chet Holmgren, the Zags nonetheless ought to win the convention simply.
2. BYU Cougars
BYU finds itself No. 2 on this listing as a result of potential of Fousseyni Traore.
Traore averaged 9.5 factors and eight.5 rebounds final season, however he’s anticipated to take a leap this 12 months.
Alongside him is Coastal Carolina switch Rudi Williams. Williams might wrestle to distribute the ball, however his potential to create his personal shot ought to show useful on the level guard place.
Noah Waterman is one other fascinating piece; he’s a 6-foot-11 ahead who has the power to stretch the ground.
3. Saint Mary’s Gaels
Outside of Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s might be probably the most recognizable crew within the WCC. However popularity alone doesn’t win video games.
This 12 months’s model of the Gaels must be led by Logan Johnson, who can play each side of the ball, however began to seek out his rhythm as a scorer in 2021-22.
They’ll even be tasked with changing level guard Tommy Kuhse. Augustas Marciulionis or Aidan Mahaney are anticipated to fill the void.
Saint Mary’s roster isn’t elite, however Randy Bennett’s consistency earned his squad the No. 3 spot on this listing.
4. San Francisco Dons
The essential query surrounding San Francisco’s basketball program is how they’re going to exchange departed Head Coach Todd Golden.
Golden took the Dons to the NCAA Event for the primary time in over 20 years.
The person tasked with changing him is Chris Gerlufsen, who was promoted from inside, which may present stability in this system.
SF additionally returns guard Khalil Shabazz who averaged double-figures final season. Key transfers embrace Tyrell Roberts (Washington State), Marcus Williams (Texas A&M), and Saba Gigiberia (Georgia Tech).
5. San Diego Toreros
It ought to show fascinating to see how Steve Lavin’s first 12 months performs out at San Diego.
Lavin is an enormous title, having established his popularity at UCLA. And he has already made waves within the switch portal.
Two of those additions embrace Jaiden Delaire from Stanford and Eric Williams Jr. from Oregon. Complementing the duo is guard Marcellus Earlington, who may find yourself being a dependable third choice.
This crew is gifted, however there are nonetheless loads of unknowns. Count on a middle-of-the-pack end.
6. Portland Pilots
Portland hoops is coming off their finest season in fairly a while and their aim now’s to foster consistency throughout the program.
The Pilots misplaced their finest participant in Moses Wooden however just about everybody else returns.
Mix that with transfers Alden Applewhite (Mississippi State), Joey St. Pierre (Milwaukee), and Wyatt Lowell (BYU), and Portland must be strong as soon as once more.
The Pilots are now not backside dwellers.
7. Santa Clara Broncos
The essential query surrounding Santa Clara’s season is how they’ll change Jalen Williams, who was the twelfth choose within the NBA Draft to the Boston Celtics.
On this 12 months’s marketing campaign, the Broncos do produce other returning choices, however their success will doubtless take a success.
Two gamers tasked with getting the practice again on the tracks are level guards Carlos Stewart and Brenton Knapper. The Broncos additionally landed a key switch in Carlos Marshall Jr. (Tennessee State).
Herb Sendek is an outstanding coach however this 12 months’s roster lacks expertise.
8. Pepperdine Waves
Pepperdine must be higher than final 12 months however that isn’t saying a lot.
The Waves completed lifeless final within the Convention and it was ugly all through.
This season, there’s hope due to returning gamers Mike Mitchell Jr., Houston Mallette, and Maxwell Lewis.
Sadly for Pepperdine, they didn’t enhance a lot by way of the switch portal. This crew must be higher, however solely barely.
9. Loyola Marymount Lions
This season will doubtless be a tough one for Loyola Marymount.
The Lions completed second to final within the Convention in 2021-22 and misplaced two of their finest gamers. This 12 months, Loyola’s hoping some new playmakers emerge.
Of the returners, Dameane Douglas feels most definitely to take a significant leap ahead. He averaged just below eleven factors final season.
In addition they bolstered their roster by way of the switch portal with Rick Issanza (Oklahoma) and Michael Graham (Elon).
10. Pacific Tigers
If Pacific goes to be good this 12 months they’re going to want their transfers to step up.
The Tigers bought an entire bunch of them, together with a duo of gamers from Oklahoma State in Donovan Williams and Keylan Boone. Pacific additionally added Tyler Beard from Georgetown.
However most necessary to their success could possibly be Jordan Ivy-Curry who may develop right into a high-volume scorer.
Alongside all these transfers stands returning guard Nick Blake.
—Extra from Nick Bartlett—
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author for SuperWest Sports activities.
