Around the WCC

Heading into Saturday’s start of conference play, the WCC is ranked No. 8 in the latest Collegiate Basketball News RPI listing, ahead of such traditional conference powers as the Big 12, Western Athletic Conference, Conference USA and Atlantic 10. The WCC is also ranked No. 1 in strength of schedule. … Gonzaga’s Derek Raivio has made 37 consecutive free throws and is within four of tying the school record of 41, which he shares with Geoff Goss. … San Francisco, which will host San Diego in its WCC opener Saturday, played 11 of its 15 non-conference games on the road, finishing 2-9 away from War Memorial Gym. … Pepperdine ranks No. 5 in the nation in 3-point field goals made with an average of 10.9 per game. … The return trip from Charlottesville, Va., pushed the number of air miles Gonzaga has logged this season to 15,865.