West Coast Conference Notebook
by Brad Best
Non-Conference Summary
Gonzaga (10-3)
Preseason ranking: 1
Best win: Heroic effort by Adam Morrison in a triple overtime 109-106 victory over Michigan State in the semi-finals of the Maui Invitational.
Worst loss: 99-95 at Washington. Lost their in-state bragging rights against a tough Huskies team.
Comment: Gonzaga has largely lived up to their reputation and currently holds the longest home game winning streak at 30 games. Morrison leads the nation in scoring average at 27 ppg. J.P. Batista is a bit of a surprise, averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds per game.
Outlook: The Bulldogs are as dangerous as ever. They won’t sneak up on anyone anymore, but they have the firepower and the passion to dominate their conference and go deep in the NCAA Tournament.
San Diego (10-3)
Preseason ranking: 7
Best win: 63-56 vs. New Mexico. USD big men dominated the action.
Worst loss: 94-91 vs. Texas Arlington. In the midst of a six-game winning streak, the Toreros let this one get away from them at home.
Comment: The Toreros have played good team basketball so far. Nick Lewis is averaging 20 ppg, third-best in the WCC.
Outlook: Brad Holland’s combination of seniors and freshmen will continue their winning ways and finish near the top of the conference.
Saint Mary’s (7-5)
Preseason ranking: 2
Best win: 89-80 vs. Nevada. Only their second win over a ranked opponent in 30 years.
Worst loss: 73-54 at Colorado. Only two Gaels scored more than 3 points in that one.
Comment: Daniel Kickert and Brett Collins are the only players averaging in double figures in points per game.
Outlook: The young supporting cast will need to step up if this team wants to see any postseason play.
Santa Clara (7-5)
Preseason ranking: 5
Best win: 77-68 vs. Bucknell. Knocked off top Patriot conference team to win the Cable Car Classic.
Worst loss: 67-56 vs. Montana. These are ones you have to win, especially at home.
Comment: They have a decent nucleus anchored by Travis Niesen, who is averaging 20 ppg. Three other players contributing at least 9 ppg. Freshman John Bryant is holding his own in the middle.
Outlook: Could big a factor in the race for second place.
Portland (6-8)
Preseason ranking: 3
Best win: 80-72 vs. Oregon. Bragging rights in the state as they also knocked off Oregon State.
Worst loss: Following the win over Oregon, they lose 76-53 to UC Santa Barbara.
Comment: Beat two Pac-10 teams so far but play has been very inconsistent from game to game. Underperforming when you consider they returned four starters and their top five scorers.
Outlook: If they can bring the same intensity each night, they could be competitive in conference.
Pepperdine (4-8)
Preseason ranking: 8
Best win: 75-61 at UNLV. Big edge in shooting percentage and rebounding spelled the difference.
Worst loss: 63-45 at Dayton. Not their biggest loss in a tough schedule but should have been more competitive here.
Comment: A very young team that has yet to put things together.
Outlook: Hopefully the experience they’re getting will make them more competitive next season.
San Francisco (4-9)
Preseason ranking: 6
Best win: 90-72 vs. Texas Tech. Huge game (31 points) for Jerome Gumbs, who averages 10 ppg.
Worst loss: 82-59 at UCSB. Started the season out on a bad note and haven’t got much better.
Comment: With four players scoring in double figures, you’d think they’d be more consistent and win some close ones.
Outlook: A four-game losing streak going into conference play does not bode well for the Dons.
Loyola Marymount (3-11)
Preseason ranking: 4
Best win: 83-71 at BYU. Unfortunately, they haven’t looked that good since then.
Worst loss: 79-60 at UNLV. They’ve lost some close ones this year, but this one wasn’t close.
Comment: Seemed a little overrated in the preseason. They do have some fight in them and coach Rodney Tention should have them pulling off some upsets in conference.
Outlook: Not as bad as they seem on paper. Could be a spoiler.
Non-conference First Team
Adam Morrison – Gonzaga
J.P. Batista – Gonzaga
Nick Lewis – San Diego
Pooh Jeter – Portland
Wes Wardrop – Loyola Marymount
