West Coast Conference Preseason Power Rankings

With October winding down, and exhibition games slated to open next week across the conference, it’s time to take a look at how the WCC stacks up. Here are capsules for each team in the wild, wild West Coast Conference.

By CURRAN McCAULEY

1. Gonzaga – No surprise to anyone, but once again, it will be Gonzaga’s title to lose. Kyle Wiltjer looks like a strong candidate for National Player of the Year while Przemek Karnowski and Domantas Sabonis will be back and ready to lead the Bulldogs deep into March yet again. Mark Few and his squad hasn’t given the rest of the conference any reason to believe that their grasp on the conference title is fleeting.

2. Brigham Young – All-American Kyle Collinsworth returns after an unreal campaign last season to lead the electric BYU offense. The Cougars are a strong contender to make an appearance into March and a top-25 appearance. Utah State transfer Kyle Davis, who sat out last season after 27 starts for the Aggies in 2013-14, is tabbed by some as a contender for WCC Newcomer of the Year.
3. Pepperdine – Pepperdine is a team that returns nearly all of its scoring from a year ago and that many believe will surprise some people nationally. After an NIT run a year ago, Stacy Davis looks primed to lead the Waves to the Big Dance, overtaking Saint Mary’s in the WCC’s “Big Three”.

4.  Saint Mary’s –Where’s Brad Waldow? It’s a common refrain, and after losing the big man to graduation, someone else will have to step up in the paint for the Gaels. Redshirt center Evan Fitzner is an intriguing name to watch in Moraga, where Guard Emmett Naar is a key returner for Randy Bennett’s squad after a standout first year campaign in which was named to the WCC All-Freshman team.

5. Portland – It was often the Alec Wintering show in Portland last season, and expect that to continue in 2015-16. Thomas van der Mars and Volymyr Gerun are an imposing pair in the front court for the Pilots, who made a postseason appearance last season in the CIT

6. Pacific – The Tigers are in a transition with a mix of exciting youngsters and veteran leadership. After making the jump from the Big West two seasons ago, Pacific is now in a place to prove itself as a stalwart in the WCC. Junior guard T.J. Wallace will be the focal point for the Orange and Black while Eric Thompson and David Taylor will remain integral to Pacific’s offensive rhythm. Sophomore transfer Maleke Haynes is seen as a key newcomer who will contribute immediately to Coach Ron Verlin’s system in Stockton.

7. Santa Clara – Santa Clara’s Jared Brownridge was often a human highlight reel last season and his success will be crucial to the Broncos, who lose another exciting guard in Brandon Clark to graduation. Nate Kratch, a Minnesota product and a freshman last season, is a forward who can grab rebounds with the best of the bigs in the conference.

8. San Diego – Jito Kok, an all-name team candidate and 6-9 center, returns for the Toreros. The Dutch shot-blocking mastermind holds the single-game, season and career records for blocked shots at USD. New head coach Lamont Smith, who spent last season as an assistant at New Mexico, welcomes a trio of talented Texans to the squad as Tyler Williams, Olin Carter III and Ryan Woolridge join the squad. USD will play an outdoor game at the home of the San Diego Padres, Petco Park, on December 5^th against inter-city rival San Diego State.

9. San Francisco – The Dons are a depleted group, losing 12 players from a season ago, including a whopping eight that left the program with eligibility remaining. Head Coach Rex Walters needs to restore confidence on The Hilltop and work towards restoring the strong tradition at USF. Guard Tim Derksen is a player to watch as the Dons look to surprise with an inexperienced team.

10. Loyola Marymount – LMU will struggle to find consistent leadership in the wake of Evan Payne’s transfer. Payne, an offensive force and playmaker with the ability to take over a game, will head up the road to Long Beach State, leaving the Lions to seek a larger scoring role from Marin Mornar, a senior forward from Croatia who impressed down the stretch last season.