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5 questions entering the WCC

College basketball season is almost here!

Between now and Nov. 9th, we’ll take an in-depth look at different conferences around the country.

Today’s focus is on the WCC:

1. How many WCC teams will qualify for the 2022 NCAA Tournament?
Three seems realistic if this conference can perform well in November and December. In addition to Gonzaga, BYU has established itself as a perennial NCAA Tournament team under Mark Pope. The Cougars have posted an overall combined record of 44-15 in the past two seasons and earned a six seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Saint Mary’s, Loyola Marymount, and San Francisco also all look like postseason teams. If one of those three programs can maximize the opportunities that they have during their respective non-conference schedule, they’ll have a chance to put themselves in position to be in position on Selection Sunday.

2. Can anyone challenge Gonzaga for the WCC regular season title?
It’s highly unlikely. The big difference that we’ve seen during the past couple of years in the WCC is that the league is getting deeper and getting better. That stops the trend of what we used to see with Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s pushing out from the rest of the league while leaving the other eight teams in the conference behind. The Bulldogs are also now recruiting at an entirely different level. Gonzaga will bring in three five-star freshmen in Chet Holmgren, Hunter Sallis, and Nolan Hickman, with the 7-foot Holmgren firmly in the conversation to be the top overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. That troika joins a returning nucleus of two returning starters — Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard — from last year’s team that lost in the national title game to Baylor. Timme is the likely Preseason National Player of the Year. It’s going to be hard for any WCC program to compete with this type of a talent base for a conference regular season title during a 16-game league slate. 

3. Will Saint Mary’s bounce back?
Count on it. Last season’s seventh-place finish was Randy Bennett’s worst conference placement since he arrived in Moraga in 2001. It is unlikely to continue. The Gaels return all 13 players from last year’s roster and added an impact freshman in 6-4 guard Augustas Marciulionis — the son of former NBA star Sarunas Marciulionis. Prior to last season, Bennett had 17 straight years with at least 17 wins. It says here that he’ll return to form in 21-22. 

4. Which WCC program is on the rise?
Loyola Marymount. Stan Johnson led the Lions to a 13-9 mark and third place finish in his first season as a college head coach all while laying a strong foundation for future success. Loyola Marymount returns its top three players from a year ago in Eli Scott, Dameane Douglas, and Keli Leaupepe, with a strong mix of transfers and high school recruits set to add to this program’s depth. The Lions are also gaining more non-conference scheduling opportunities, as evidenced by their affiliation with Florida State, Missouri, and SMU as part of the Jacksonville Classic in November; Loyola Marymount will open the event against Florida State. This program has the location, history, and momentum to continue to evolve into a brand that is more widely recognized both nationally and on the West Coast. 

5. Who is the sleeper?
San Francisco. The Dons upset Virginia early last season at Mohegan Sun, but COVID issues hampered this team’s rhythm as they only managed to finish eighth in the WCC. Help is on the way. Todd Golden went to the transfer portal and added three potential starters in Gabe Stefanini (Columbia), Patrick Tape (Duke), and Yauhen Massalski (San Diego). The Dons also return their top four scorers in Jamaree Bouyea, Khalil Shabazz, Dzmitry Ryuny, and Julian Rishwain. Bouyea (17.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists) is a first-team all-conference caliber guard. Barring something unforeseen, San Francisco should be a postseason team. 

Leftovers