WCC Tournament Preview and Predictions

WCC Tournament Preview and Predictions

Favorite

Gonzaga

Despite a below-average regular season resume in Gonzaga terms as well as a conference loss to Saint Mary’s, Gonzaga has recently bounced back very nicely to retake first place in the conference from Saint Mary’s, who they just beat by 9 at home. 

Led by Wooden Award candidate Drew Timme, Gonzaga has had pieces around Timme emerge to become a more well-rounded team. Julian Strawther has broken out to become the player many expected him to be, and guards Nolan Hickman and Malachi Smith have looked solid recently, which is just what the Zags need to win the WCC tournament again. 

However, there are many dangerous teams standing in their way including Santa Clara, rival and ranked opponent Saint Mary’s, as well as Loyola Marymount, who already beat Gonzaga once, and is our WCC Tournament sleeper.

Sleeper

Loyola Marymount

Loyola Marymount, as I had mentioned in the Gonzaga overview, has already beaten Gonzaga, a feat that is rarely pulled off by teams other than Saint Mary’s in the WCC conference. 

But, that’s not all the Lions have done this season. Not only have they beaten Gonzaga, they also beat Saint Mary’s. A WCC team beating both of these teams rarely ever happens, especially recently, so this is a historically good LMU team. 

Led by one of the best players in the conference, Cam Shelton, LMU sits at fourth in the WAC, and looks to upset Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga again to make the NCAA Tournament. LMU also has another very good forward to complement Shelton in Keli Leaupepe, as well as guard Jalin Anderson, who scored 15 against Gonzaga. 

They have the talent to make a run, and with the WCC’s gauntlet-style bracket, it’s even easier for them to win it all.

Bracket Prediction