WCC capsules
Following, in predicted order of finish, are summaries of all the WCC men’s basketball teams. (Current records in parentheses.)
Gonzaga (11-4)
Coach: Mark Few (222-56, 9th year, 9th overall)
2006-07 record: 23-11; 11-3 WCC, 1st
Players to watch: G Matt Bouldin, 6-5, Soph. (14.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 44.3 pct. 3-pointers); G Jeremy Pargo, 6-2, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 5.9 apg); C Josh Heytvelt, 6-11, Jr. (11 ppg, 4 rpg)
Outlook: The Zags don’t have the marquee non-conference wins of past years, but they still managed an 11-4 mark while playing without Steven Gray for 10 games and Heytvelt for 11. Gonzaga is nearing full strength and should only improve as familiarity grows between the players. GU has won or shared the last seven WCC titles and appears to have the pieces to make it eight.
Saint Mary’s (13-2)
Coach: Randy Bennett (115-85, 7th year, 7th overall)
2006-07 record: 17-15; 8-6, t-3rd
Players to watch: G Patrick Mills, 6-0, Fr. (15.4 ppg, 80 pct. FT, 3.9 apg); C Omar Samhan, 6-11, Soph. (12.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg); F Diamon Simpson, 6-7, Jr. (12.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2 bpg)
Outlook: The Gaels were rewarded for an impressive non-conference schedule – home wins over Oregon (11-4), Seton Hall (10-5) and Drake (12-1) – by cracking the national rankings for the first time in 18 years. Mills, one of three Australians on the roster, poured in 37 points against Oregon. Simpson was first-team All-WCC last season and center Samhan continues to develop. Gaels are well positioned for title run.
San Diego (7-10)
Coach: Bill Grier (7-10, 1st year, 1st overall)
2006-07 record: 18-14; 6-8, 5th
Players to watch: F Gyno Pomare, 6-8, Jr. (14.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg); G Brandon Johnson, 6-0, Jr. (17.5 ppg, 3.25 apg, 1.9 spg); R Rob Jones, 6-6, Fr. (6.3 ppg, 5 rpg)
Outlook: Ex-Gonzaga assistant Bill Grier already has led USD to perhaps the best win in school history (81-72 over Kentucky at Rupp Arena), but the inconsistent Toreros followed that with a 26-point loss to Marshall. San Diego is the lowest-scoring team in the conference, but Johnson and Pomare make the Toreros dangerous. Johnson, however, missed Thursday’s loss to Cal State Bakersfield with a deep thigh contusion. If other options emerge, USD could challenge GU and Saint Mary’s.
Santa Clara (8-7)
Coach: Kerry Keating (8-7, 1st year, 1st overall)
2006-07 record: 21-10; 10-4, 2nd
Players to watch: C John Bryant, 6-10, Jr. (17.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 30 blocks); G Brody Angley, 5-11, Sr. (11.9 ppg, 42 pct. 3-pointers, 5 apg); F Mitch Henke, 6-7, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg).
Outlook: Bryant is one of the better big men in the WCC and Angley and Henke are proven veterans. Broncos play at a methodical pace under Keating, a former UCLA assistant, and are effective when they take care of the ball. Broncos lead the WCC at 49.8 percent from the field, but they’ve been stung by 16.1 turnovers per game. Could push San Diego for third.
Pepperdine (6-10)
Coach: Vance Walberg (14-33, 2nd year, 2nd overall)
2006-07 record: 8-23; 4-10, t-7th
Players to watch: G Tyrone Shelley, 6-6, Fr. (15.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg); F Malcolm Thomas, 6-8, Fr. (14.3 ppg, 9 rpg, 56 pct. FG); G Mychel Thompson, 6-7, Fr. (8.9 ppg, 41 pct. 3-pointers)
Outlook: Waves had a tough preconference season with 10 consecutive road games and 13 of 16 away from home. Pepperdine lacks experience, in part because ‘06-‘07 leading scorers Kingsley Costain (dismissed) and Tomas Pranciliauskas (transferred to NAIA school) are no longer with the team, but the future is bright with freshmen Shelley, Thomas and Thompson, son of 1978 NBA No. 1 draft pick Mychal Thompson. With another impressive recruiting class en route, Pepperdine probably is still a year away.
San Francisco (4-11)
Coach: Eddie Sutton, interim (0-3, 1st year; 798-318, 37th overall)
2006-07 record: 13-18; 8-6 (t-3rd)
Players to watch: G Manny Quezada, 6-2, Jr. (16.2 ppg, 3.9 apg); F Dior Lowhorn, 6-7, Soph. (20.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg); G Myron Strong, 6-2, Fr. (12.3 ppg, 3.7 apg)
Outlook: USF has a potent scoring combination in Texas Tech transfer Lowhorn and Quezada. Lowhorn has been in double figures in all 15 games and Quezada has had 20 or more five times. Dons are seventh in the conference at 12.3 assists per game and sixth in turnovers committed (16.3). Talent is there for another finish in the upper half if team adjusts to midseason coaching change.
Portland (5-10)
Coach: Eric Reveno (14-33, 2nd year, 2nd overall)
2006-07 record: 9-23; 4-10 t-7th
Players to watch: G Nik Raivio, 6-4, Soph. (13.3 ppg; 38 pct. 3-pointers, 88 pct. FT); F Sherrard Watson, 6-6, Sr. (10.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Luke Sikma, 6-8, Fr. (7.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg)
Outlook: Pilots feature six true freshmen and four sophomores. Portland has rebounded the ball well (plus 5.1), despite not having a post player with Division I experience entering the season. Pilots have shown flashes, knocking off Montana in Missoula and hanging tough with Washington, but defense has been leaky, allowing opponents to shoot 50 percent in team’s 10 losses. Portland will need more time to rebuild.
Loyola Marymount (3-13)
Coach: Rodney Tention (28-49, 3rd year, 3rd overall)
2006-07 record: 13-18; 5-9, 6th
Players to watch: G/F Orlando Johnson, 6-5, Fr. (13.1 ppg, 41 pct. 3-pointers, 5.1 rpg) G Shawn Deadwiler, 6-3, Soph. (9.8 ppg, 2.8 apg) G Jon Ziri, 6-2, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Outlook: Guard-driven Lions have dropped six straight and nine of last 10, but the one win was an eye-catcher (76-74 at Boise State). Roster dominated by youth – Ziri is the lone senior – and team has struggled with turnovers (a WCC-worst 20.2 per game) and defense (78.6 points allowed per game). True freshmen Johnson and Tim Diederichs provide hope for the future, but Lions will be hard-pressed to avoid last place.