“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait just under two more weeks until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts.
Earlier this week, we featured the SEC and now we’ll take a look at the WCC.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. Gonzaga
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Suggs
G Joel Ayayi
F Corey Kispert
F Anton Watson
C Drew Timme
Key Losses: Admon Gilder, Ryan Wooldridge, Killian Tillie, Filip Petrusev
Key Newcomers: Jalen Suggs, Dominick Harris, Julian Strawther, Aaron Cook (Southern Illinois)
Sit Out Transfers: Andrew Nembhard (Florida)
Projected Bench: Dominick Harris, Julian Strawther, Oumar Ballo, Pavel Zakharov, Aaron Cook
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Joel Ayayi (will go through draft process), Corey Kispert (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: The departure of Petrusev was a blow, but there’s still more talent in Spokane than anywhere else in the WCC.
2. BYU
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Brandon Averette
G Alex Barcello
G Connor Harding
F Caleb Lohner
C Matt Haarms
Key Losses: Yoeli Childs, Jake Toolson, TJ Haws, Zac Seljaas, Dalton Nixon
Key Newcomers: Matt Haarms (Purdue), Brandon Averette (Utah Valley), Spencer Johnson (JUCO), Gideon George (JUCO), Caleb Lohner, Townsend Tripple, Wyatt Lowell (Utah Valley), Richard Harward (Utah Valley)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Kolby Lee, Gavin Baxter, Jesse Wade, Spencer Johnson, Gideon George, Cameron Pearson, Townsend Tripple, Wyatt Lowell, Richard Harward
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: A pair of quality grad transfers in Averette and Haarms should give Mark Pope a chance to finish what he started last season.
3. San Francisco
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Khalil Shabazz
G Jamaree Bouyea
G Damari Milstead
F Josh Kunen
C Samba Kane
Key Losses: Charles Minlend, Jimbo Lull, Jordan Ratinho, Ramu Raitanen
Key Newcomers: Damari Milstead (Grand Canyon), Samba Kane (JUCO), Anthony Roy, Maj Dusanic
Sit Out Transfers: Julian Rishwain (Boston College)
Projected Bench: Taavi Jurkatam, Dzmitry Ryuny, Jonas Visser, Isaiah Hawthorne, Trevante Anderson, Emmanuel Nwabueze, Anthony Roy, Maj Dusanic
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The Dons are quietly aiming for their fifth consecutive 20-win season.
4. Pepperdine
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Colbey Ross
G Sedrick Altman
G Skylar Chavez
F Kessler Edwards
F Jan Zidek
Key Losses: Kameron Edwards
Key Newcomers: Kendall Munson
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Victor Ohia Obioha, Jade Smith, Kendall Munson, Keith Smith, Darryl Polk Jr., Everett Perrot, Majok Deng, Andre Ball
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Colbey Ross (will go through NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: Remember the name Colbey Ross.
5. Saint Mary’s
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Tommy Kuhse
G Kristers Zoriks
G Alex Ducas
F Dan Fotu
C Matthias Tass
Key Losses: Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts, Tanner Krebs
Key Newcomers: Jabe Mullins, Judah Brown, Mitchell Saxen
Sit Out Transfers: Matthew van Komen
Projected Bench: Jabe Mullins, Logan Johnson, Judah Brown, Mitchell Saxen, Kyle Bowen, Quinn Clinton
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: External expectations feel low, but Randy Bennett hasn’t won less than 21 games in a season since 2007.
6. Santa Clara
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Jalen Williams
G Christian Carlyle
G Keshawn Justice
F Josip Vrankic
C Guglielmo Caruso
Key Losses: Trey Wertz, Tahj Eaddy
Key Newcomers: Trent Hudjens Jr., Christian Carlyle (Florida Gulf Coast)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Jaden Bediako, DJ Mitchell, Trent Hudjens Jr., Juan Ducasse, David Thompson, Giordan Williams
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Herb Sendek was bit by the transfer bug this offseason, losing two key players — Wertz and Eaddy — to Notre Dame and USC respectively.
7. Pacific
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Justin Moore
G Daniss Jenkins
G Jahbril Price-Noel
F Jordan Bell
C Marial Mading
Key Losses: Jahlil Tripp, Amari McCray, Gary Chivichcan, Austin Vereen, Shaquillo Fritz
Key Newcomers: Marial Mading (JUCO), Jordan Bell (Loyola Marymount), Jalen Brown (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: Jervay Green (Nebraska)
Projected Bench: Broc Finstruen, Pierre Crockrell, Jeremiah Bailey, James Hampshire, Jonathan Salazar, Jalen Brown, Nigel Shadd
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Damon Stoudamire has a potential WCC star in the 6-11 Mading, who earned plenty of high-major interest prior to committing to Pacific.
8. Loyola Marymount
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Joe Quintana
G Keli Leaupepe
G Eli Scott
G Dameane Douglass
C Mattias Markusson
Key Losses:
Key Newcomers: Kodye Pugh (Stanford), Quentin Jackson (Temple), Mayoum Mayoum
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Kodye Pugh, Quentin Jackson, Mayourn Mayourn, Ivan Alipiev, Parker Dortch, Lazar Zivanovic
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Stan Johnson has made an early impact in recruiting and inherited an all-conference caliber talent in the 6-6 Scott.
9. San Diego
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Finn Sullivan
G Frankie Hughes
G Braun Hartfield
F Josh Parrish
C Yauhen Massalski
Key Losses: None
Key Newcomers: Vladimir Pinchuk (New Mexico), Frankie Hughes (Duquesne), Josh Parrish (Rice)
Sit Out Transfers: Ben Pyle (Western Illinois), Yavuz Gultekin (Texas A&M), Bryan Greenlee (Minnesota), Chris Herren Jr. (Boston College)
Projected Bench: Vladimir Pinchuk, Marion Humphrey, Jared Rodriguez
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: San Diego has gone all-in on the transfer market, adding seven to its roster since the conclusion of last season.
10. Portland
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Chase Adams
G JoJo Walker
G Takiula Fahrensohn
F Tahirou Diabate
C Theo Akwuba
Key Losses: Isaiah White, Jacob Tryon
Key Newcomers: Zac Triplett, Hayden Curtiss
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Wyatt Watson, Quincy Ferebee, Zac Triplett, Hayden Curtiss
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Portland has won just one conference game in the past two seasons.
