West Coast Conference Tournament Preview

Schedule (all games played in Las Vegas):

Friday, March 6th / First Round
Game 1 - #5 San Diego vs. #8 Loyola Marymount
Game 2 - #6 Pepperdine vs. #7 San Francisco

Saturday, March 7th / Second Round
Game 3 - Game 1 winner vs. #4 Santa Clara
Game 4 - Game 2 winner vs. #3 Portland

Sunday, March 8th / Semifinals
Game 5 - Game 3 winner vs. #1 Gonzaga
Game 6 - Game 4 winner vs. #2 St. Mary's

Monday, March 9th / Finals
Game 7 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner

Favorite: The favorite has to be considered Gonzaga, who ran through the WCC's regular season undefeated. You know about the 'Zags at this point - they have a roster loaded with talent and a number of NBA prospects. But the 'Zags are a bit of a conundrum. They ran through the Old Spice Classic in November, but a swoon in December where they lost four of five knocked than off the radar as a possible Final Four contender. They responded by beating Tennessee in OT for the second time, and then winning their first eight WCC games before being embarrassed on ESPN's gameday feature by Memphis.

The Gaels hope to get another shot against the 'Zags ... this time with a healthy Patty Mills.
(photo credit: Mid Majority)

Contender: Before Patty Mills broke his hand, St. Mary's was arguably the best team in the WCC. Well, it looks like he may be back for the WCC tournament (although, there are conflicting reports about his status for the tourney - some say he has been cleared for the tournament, while others are reporting he has only been cleared for shooting drills). If he is back, it will be huge for the Gael's chances of reaching the tourney. If he is as good as he was before the injury, and St Mary's steamrolls to the Finals, then they may end up getting an at-large bid (and that is if they don't win the tournament).

Sleeper: Portland finished third in the conference and owns a win over Washignton, San Diego reached the second round of the dance last year after winning the WCC tourney (although due to injuries, they are far form the same team), but the sleeper in this year's WCC tournament is Santa Clara. They lost at St. Mary's by one (when they had Mills) and beat them at home by 18 (when they didn't), and just last week they took Gonzaga to the wire at home. The Broncos have the best big man in the conference in 7-footer John Bryant (he averaged 18 ppg and 14 rpg), and if their shooters can get hot, this team can make a run to the title.


BIAH Prediction: St. Mary's (if Mills is back) or Gonzaga (if he isn't).