by Curran McCauley
As the West Coast Conference schedule nears midseason, a clear race for Conference Player of the Year is developing at the top of the power rankings, with Kyle Collinsworth, Brad Waldow, Tyler Haws, Stacy Davis, Kevin Pangos and Przemek Karnowski all bolstering their resumes this week. In addition to these stalwarts, some top performances this weekend have propelled fresh faces into the weekly rankings discussion. Here is a look at the top individual efforts from the fourth week of conference play.
1. Kyle Collinsworth / Jr. / Guard / BYU
Collinsworth has a chance to stand alone with one of the greatest single-season performances in NCAA history this season. Against Pacific on Thursday, Collinsworth recorded his fourth triple-double of the season, tying the NCAA single-season mark. Among the players that Collinsworth tied include former NBA standouts Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw. The junior recorded the feat in the span of just 12 games. In fact, Collinsworth has recorded half of the triple-doubles in BYU program history in just those same 12 games. It’s simply the stuff of legend, and something the nation is paying attention to. A great spotlight has shined on the conference as a whole. Hey, and just for fun, he also leads the conference in steals (2.2 per game).
2. Brad Waldow – Sr. / Forward / Saint Mary’s
Waldow, the talented Saint Mary’s big man from the Sacramento area, added another stellar week to his WCC Player of the Year resume. The only player in the nation averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest, Waldow has 12 double-doubles so far this season. On Thursday against San Diego, Waldow pitched in a game-high 15 points on 11-13 shooting before a showdown with BYU in which he dominated, recording a double-double (24 points, 14 rebs) as the Gaels improved to 7-0. He was named WCC Player of the Week for his efforts.
3. Tyler Haws / Sr. / Guard / BYU
Another major contender for WCC Player of the Year, Haws remains the conference’s most prolific scorer, averaging 22.5 points per game. Against Pacific on Thursday, Haws posted 26 points, including a 9-10 performance from the free throw line. Against Saint Mary’s on Saturday, Haws chipped in 28, his highest output in conference games so far this season. In addition, Haws had a season-high four offensive rebounds against SMC.
4. Stacy Davis / Sr. / Forward / Pepperdine
Davis came into Thursday’s contest as the reigning WCC Player of the Week, and backed up the plaudit with a 21 point, 7 rebound performance in a near-upset of No. 3 Gonzaga. Against Portland on Saturday, Davis was one of five Waves with double-digit scoring totals in a balanced attack that topped Portland.
5. Kyle Wiltjer / RS-Jr. / Forward / Gonzaga
The fact that the nation’s No. 3 ranked team doesn’t have a player in the top four of this week’s power rankings is a testament to not only the strength of the conference but also the collective team effort that Gonzaga seems to produce every night out. Wiltjer, a transfer from Kentucky, led that effort on Thursday against Pepperdine, posting 24 points and eight rebounds in just 28 minutes. On Saturday, Wiltjer had half the output (12 pts, 4 rebs), but Gonzaga was able to cruise past LMU. An Elite Eight or Final Four rematch with his former squad remains a serious possibility for the Portland, Ore. native and his Zags.
6. Brandon Clark / Sr. / Guard / Santa Clara
Clark made the most of a non-conference tilt against St. Katherine’s of the NAIA, helping the Broncos breeze past their visitors with 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Against travel partner San Francisco, Clark had a nearly-identical stat-line (23 pts, 8 rebs, 5 assists). The East Chicago, Ind. product is averaging 15.5 points per game for the Broncos.
7. Domantas Sabonis / Fr. / Forward / Gonzaga
Sabonis has to be considered one of the favorites for WCC Freshman of the Year, leading the conference in field goal percentage (.728) and pacing all freshman in rebounds with 6.3 per game. The Portland-born Lithuanian and son of Blazers legend Arvydas Sabonis went for a double-double at Pepperdine on Thursday (18 pts, 12 rebs).
8. Shawn Olden / Fr. / Guard / Pepperdine
The freshman from Tulsa, Okla. leads all West Coast Conference freshman in scoring (10.1 ppg). Olden cracks the power rankings for the first time this week after two double-digit scoring outbursts just as Pepperdine’s overall stock continues to trend upward. Olden recorded 11 points in a loss to Gonzaga and then was instrumental in a big win over Portland on Saturday, leading the Waves with 15 points and adding three steals.
9. T.J. Wallace / So. / Guard / Pacific
One of the conference’s best sophomores is one of the leaders of a young Pacific squad that features just one senior. After battling a case of turf toe earlier this season, Wallace impressed against BYU on Thursday with an 18-point showing. Wallace then willed the Tigers past San Diego on Saturday, recording 22 points to go with 7 boards as Pacific narrowly slipped past the Toreros.
10. Ayodeji Egbeyemi / RS-Sr. / Guard / Loyola Marymount
One of several to crack the rankings for the first time this week, Egbeyemi recorded a career-high 22 points as the Lions chalked up their first conference victory over Portland on Thursday and then led the team in scoring on Saturday with 14. The Nigerian returned to LMU for a fifth season after a hip injury early in 2013 necessitated a medical redshirt.
Conference Tidbits
Jett Raines narrowly missed out on the top 10 after scoring in double figures twice for Pepperdine…can we talk about Johnny Dee at the free-throw line? Dee is shooting a lights-out .914 from the charity stripe (85-93) including a 17-17 weekend…..Freshman Emmett Narr continues to be a great addition for Saint Mary’s, averaging 5.1 assists per game…..also in Moraga, Waldow, Kerry Carter and Aaron Bright are 1-2-3 in minutes played, each averaging over 33 minutes per game…..Eric Thompson had a huge role in Pacific’s victory over San Diego despite not scoring a point. The junior from Detroit had 11 rebounds and five blocks in the victory…..Sami Eleraky added two blocks, both on the final possession for USD…..Kevin Pangos continues to run away with conference assist/turnover ratio title averaging a 4.0 ratio….second place goes to Amadi Udenyi of Pepperdine at 2.8.
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