West Coast Conference Tournament Preview: Familiar Faces, Shifting Landscape
The bright lights of Las Vegas are set to shine on the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament once again, but this year’s edition boasts a slightly different flavor. The addition of Pac-12 refugees Oregon State and Washington State adds a new dimension to the competition, even if their impact on the league’s overall hierarchy has been minimal. While the newcomers settled into the middle of the pack, the established powerhouses reaffirmed their dominance, setting the stage for a familiar showdown at the top.
For years, Gonzaga reigned supreme in the WCC, a perennial NCAA Tournament contender and a force to be reckoned with on the national stage. However, the winds of change have been blowing, and Saint Mary’s has emerged as the new front-runner. The Gaels have usurped the Bulldogs’ throne, claiming the top seed in the tournament for the third consecutive year. Despite this shift in power, the underlying narrative remains the same: either Saint Mary’s or Gonzaga has hoisted the trophy every year since 2009, a streak that seems poised to continue this year.
The tournament bracket unfolds with a series of intriguing matchups, each with its own unique storyline. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:
First Round (Thursday, March 6)
- San Diego vs. Pacific, 5:30 p.m.
Second Round (Friday, March 7)
- Pepperdine vs. Portland, 9 p.m.
- San Diego-Pacific winner vs. Loyola Marymount, 11:30 p.m.
Third Round (Saturday, March 8)
- Pepperdine-Portland winner vs. Oregon State, 9 p.m.
- San Diego-Pacific-Loyola Marymount winner vs. Washington State, 11:30 p.m.
Quarterfinals (Sunday, March 9)
- Pepperdine-Portland-Oregon State winner vs. Santa Clara, 8:30 p.m.
- San Diego-Pacific-Loyola Marymount-Washington State winner vs. San Francisco, 11 p.m.
Semifinals (Monday, March 10)
- Pepperdine-Portland-Oregon State-Santa Clara winner vs. Saint Mary’s, 9 p.m.
- San Diego-Pacific-Loyola Marymount-Washington State-San Francisco winner vs. Gonzaga, 11:30 p.m.
Championship (Tuesday, March 11)
- Semifinal winners, 9 p.m.
(All Times Eastern)
Saint Mary’s enters the tournament as the team to beat, a well-oiled machine meticulously crafted by head coach Randy Bennett. While not related to the famed Tony Bennett, Randy has instilled a similar philosophy in his Gaels squad, emphasizing tempo control, suffocating defense, and disciplined shot selection. Their dominance in the WCC regular season was undeniable, finishing three games ahead of the competition and sweeping Gonzaga in a home-and-home series. Saint Mary’s style can be a difficult match up.
Gonzaga, however, remains a formidable adversary. Despite relinquishing their top spot, the Bulldogs are always a threat, possessing the talent and experience to make a deep tournament run. They secured the No. 2 seed on the final day of the regular season with a crucial victory over San Francisco, a team that incidentally handed Saint Mary’s their lone league loss. The Dons, led by their explosive scorer Malik Thomas, could play spoiler, but they would need to overcome the Zags in the semifinals to earn a shot at redemption against the Gaels.
Beyond the top two, several teams harbor aspirations of an upset and a potential NCAA Tournament bid. San Francisco and Santa Clara possess the offensive firepower to challenge the favorites, but they face a steep uphill battle to secure the automatic berth. The pressure will be on for them to perform their best.
Key Players to Watch:
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Augustas Marciulionis, G, Saint Mary’s: The reigning WCC Player of the Year and last season’s tournament MVP, Marciulionis is a dynamic guard with NBA pedigree. He orchestrates the Gaels’ offense with precision, averaging 14.4 points and 6.1 assists per game. His ability to control the game’s tempo and make clutch plays makes him a pivotal figure in Saint Mary’s quest for a championship.
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Mitchell Saxen, C, Saint Mary’s: A dominant defensive force, Saxen is a two-time conference defensive player of the year. His presence in the paint is intimidating, averaging eight rebounds and adding 10.4 points on the offensive end. Saxen’s ability to protect the rim and control the boards is crucial to Saint Mary’s defensive identity.
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Ryan Nembhard, G, Gonzaga: The nation’s assist leader, Nembhard is a true floor general, distributing the ball with exceptional vision and precision. While primarily a facilitator (10 assists per game), he can also score when needed (10.9 ppg). Nembhard’s ability to control the flow of the game and make smart decisions is essential to Gonzaga’s success.
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Graham Ike, F, Gonzaga: The Zags’ leading scorer (17 ppg), Ike is a versatile forward who excels at finding openings near the rim. While not a traditional dominant post presence, his efficiency and ability to draw fouls make him a valuable offensive weapon. His nearly 80% free throw percentage is an added bonus, particularly in late-game situations.
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Malik Thomas, G, San Francisco: One of the league’s most explosive scorers, Thomas is a high-volume shooter who can ignite an offense in an instant. He paces the Dons with 19.1 points per game, hitting just under 40% from beyond the arc. If Thomas gets hot, San Francisco becomes a dangerous opponent.
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Adama-Alpha Bal, G, Santa Clara: The lead guard for the back-court oriented Broncos, Bal averages 13 points and 3.1 assists. Bal’s scoring punch and ability to create opportunities for his teammates make him a key player for Santa Clara.
Bubble Watch:
With Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga safely in the NCAA Tournament field, there is little at stake, there is some potential for upsets. San Francisco and Santa Clara have the potential to be bid thieves, but they would almost certainly need to win the tournament to earn an automatic berth. The rest of the conference is unlikely to crack the NCAA tournament.
Final Thoughts:
The WCC Tournament promises to be a compelling showcase of basketball talent. While the balance of power has shifted towards Saint Mary’s, Gonzaga remains a formidable contender. The emergence of players like Augustas Marciulionis and Graham Ike adds excitement to the league, while the potential for upsets from teams like San Francisco and Santa Clara keeps the tournament unpredictable. As the teams converge in Las Vegas, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the WCC’s basketball legacy. The chase for an NCAA tournament birth begins.
