Around the WCC

Saint Mary’s, which entertains Portland tonight and Gonzaga on Saturday, is in the middle of a nine-game homestand that ranks as the longest in school history by three games. The Gaels are 5-0 since playing their last road game at San Diego State on Dec. 14. … Among the WCC’s other hottest teams heading into conference play are San Diego (8-5), which has won five straight games, and San Francisco (9-4), which has won eight of its last nine. … Loyola Marymount (8-4) is off to its best start since 1995-96 when the Lions won eight of their first nine games. … Despite being picked to finish last in the WCC in a preseason poll of league coaches, Portland finished the non-conference portion of its schedule with 11 wins – the most since 1978-79 when the Pilots posted a 12-1 record against non-conference opponents. … San Diego’s Corey Belser is averaging a WCC-best three steals per game.