By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports activities
The remaining version of the Bulldogs-Gaels-led WCC Event may find yourself being predictable—as typical—although there might be some surprises in retailer as effectively.
The highest three within the league have separated themselves, however different groups are hoping to jot down their legacies this March.
For now, Santa Clara is the storyline.
If I needed to choose one shock workforce, it could be Oregon State. The opposite mid-tier groups have cooled off significantly.
No matter occurs, I’m right here for it.
Listed here are the highest three issues to look at at this 12 months’s WCC Event.
1. Can Santa Clara make it into the Massive Dance?
Santa Clara has had an outstanding 12 months below Herb Sendek. As of Monday morning, the Broncos are projected as one of many “final 4 groups in” the NCAA Event.
SCU contains a harmful offense that may beat any workforce on a given evening. They rank thirtieth within the nation, averaging 83.8 factors per recreation.
Their resume ought to show robust sufficient to get them an at-large bid, except they stumble within the WCC Event.
The Broncos are across the Prime 40 mark for predictive metrics and resume, which signifies that they need to be within the subject.
Santa Clara’s high three scorers are Christian Hammond, Elijah Mahi, and Allen Graves. Hammond is their main scorer, averaging 15.9 factors per recreation.
Bukky Oboye is their greatest defensive participant with 20 blocks and 16 steals this 12 months.
SCU will possible open the WCC Tourney in opposition to Pacific or Seattle U, however Loyola Marymount and San Diego are nonetheless within the combine.
If the Broncos lose their first recreation of the event, they’ll most likely be eradicated from the dance.
They need to be alright, as a consequence of their various scoring choices, however that is that month.
If Santa Clara needs to safe a spot within the NCAA Event, it could possible must win a minimum of two video games.
With a win within the third spherical, they might face SMC within the semis on Monday, which might show an enormous alternative for a QUAD 1 win.
With Gonzaga departing for the Pac-12, the Broncos have a chance to make a press release to the convention going ahead.
2. Do Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s Nonetheless Run the WCC?
As cool as it could be to see Santa Clara make a run to the title, this has been a two-dawg league, and can most likely stay so till the top.
With Saint Mary’s victory over Gonzaga final week, they earned a share of the WCC Common Season title for the fourth 12 months in a row.
And despite the fact that this minimally affected the Zags’ seeding or event line, they’ll keep in mind the loss.
They have been additionally with out Jalen Warley, who is without doubt one of the extra underrated gamers nationally.
Warley doesn’t have flashy numbers. He’s solely averaging 7.1 factors per recreation and 4.6 rebounds per recreation. However he’s a defensive terror main the workforce with 1.6 steals per contest.
He and Tyon Grant-Foster can shut down most perimeter gamers within the nation.
Warley does all of the little issues that get missed, however they have been felt in Moraga. With out him, the Gaels ate the Zags within the second half.
And that is with Paulius Murauskas taking part in poorly.
Murauskas is without doubt one of the greatest gamers within the WCC, but when he performs the best way he did in opposition to the Bulldogs, they’ll get annihilated by Gonzaga in a rematch.
He regarded so unhealthy in opposition to the Zags that I believed I may play basketball once more.
However he has an opportunity to get it proper.
3. Can Oregon State Play the Spoiler? (No One Else Can)
Oregon State’s the one workforce that might make a run, primarily based on my logic. The Beavers aren’t actually that good, however they’re in a singular spot.
Pacific would’ve been my selection two weeks in the past, however they’ve misplaced their final 4 video games, in order that’s that.
On the No. 5 seed, San Francisco has gotten blown out in 4 of their final six contests.
And the Dons virtually stole one from Gonzaga earlier within the 12 months, so that they’re not stunning anybody.
Seattle U’s coming in a bit sizzling, so they might show one other workforce to look at. However their three-game successful streak has come in opposition to the worst groups within the convention.
And the Cougs? They don’t know the best way to play basketball anymore.
The explanation the Beavers could make a run is that Wayne Tinkle, who OSU is not going to retain for subsequent season, can have some enjoyable.
He can run any scheme, he can play anybody, and so they’re the No. 4 seed, so that they’d solely have to tug two upsets.
Tinkle may’ve walked away, however he selected to stay by his workforce like a person.
And what in the event that they win the event? Would Oregon State all of a sudden rehire him?
The Beavs will most likely be outclassed by Gonzaga, however, hey—it’s March.
It’s time to get it.
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
