West Coast Notebook

West Coast Conference Notebook

by Brad Best

Very few surprises down the stretch in the West Coast Conference this season. Gonzaga continues to solidify its position for March Madness and has maintained its perfect conference record. Loyola Marymount held onto its two-game lead in the battle for second place. Saint Mary’s continues a late charge to get to the top half of the conference. Having won five of its last six, the Gaels are challenging San Diego and San Francisco, who are currently tied for third in conference. With only three games remaining for most teams, Gonzaga has clinched at least a share of the conference title. This appears to be a year in which only Gonzaga will emerge from the WCC to go to the Big Dance, while San Diego and maybe one other team should end up in the NIT.

Gonzaga (22-3 overall, 11-0 WCC) Last week, 2-0.
After easily defeating Portland earlier in the week, the Bulldogs went on the road to face second place Loyola Marymount. This looked to be one of their toughest conference games, and it was. The Lions posted a four point led at halftime and held Adam Morrison to just 7 points in the first half. But since they still play two halves and each one counts just as much as the other, the Bulldogs showed what they were made of in the second half. Morrison himself outscored the Lions 37-33 in the second period as Gonzaga went on to defeat LMU 79-70.

Loyola Marymount (11-14, 8-3) Last week, 0-1.
The hard-fought loss against Gonzaga will help prepare the Lions for the WCC tournament. If they can hang on to second place, they would not have to face Gonzaga again until the conference tournament, should both teams make it that far. That would appear to be the only hope for post-season play. Their dreadful non-conference record nearly buried them before they turned things around under first-year head coach Rodney Tention,

San Diego (16-8, 6-5) Last week, 0-1.
The Toreros missed an opportunity to claim third place as their own when they dropped a game at San Francisco after beating them at home just two days earlier. Seniors Nick Lewis and Corey Belser will play their final home game on Monday against an improving Saint Mary’s team. The Toreros finish on the road against Gonzaga and Portland, so they’ll have to rise to the occasion if they want to hold off San Francisco for third.

San Francisco (10-14, 6-5) Last week, 1-0.
The Dons regained their winning form against San Diego at home and get to face lowly Santa Clara on Monday. They should be able to take care of Portland on the road before heading up to Gonzaga for their final game of the season. They have a slightly easier schedule than the Toreros down the stretch, but both teams will likely go 2-1 and finish tied for third.

Saint Mary’s (13-11, 5-6) Last week, 2-0.
The Gaels are working their way into contention for a run in the WCC tournament. They did what they were supposed to do last week and need to finish strong against a couple of tough opponents. They lead the WCC in scoring defense, holding opponents to 65 points per game. This tenacity, along with the emergence of an improved supporting cast to go along with Daniel Kickert, has helped the Gaels develop into a formidable conference opponent in the second half of the season.

Portland (9-16, 3-8) Last week, 1-1.
Earning a split in last week’s games won’t be enough to help the struggling Pilots. A strong backcourt of Pooh Jeter and Darren Cooper has not been enough to keep pace with the bigger, stronger frontcourt dominance of other teams. Four of their last five opponents have put up 80 points or more on the Pilots. With three tough games left on the schedule, it will be next to impossible for Portland to move up in the standings or have much hope of doing any damage in the conference tournament.

Pepperdine (7-16, 3-8) Last week, 0-1.
With Michael Gerrity still sidelined by an injury, the Waves were defeated at home by Portland. Things won’t get any easier as they head up to Gonzaga on Monday. Without Gerrity’s scoring ability in the lineup, the Waves find it difficult to put up enough points to have a chance to win.

Santa Clara (9-15, 2-9) Last week, 0-2.
Back to their losing ways, the Broncos couldn’t avenge their loss to Saint Mary’s or defeat Hawaii. With San Francisco next up, followed by games against Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, the Broncos may be fortunate to just win one of their final three. When you’re in last place, you’re looking at every opponent as an uphill battle. Senior Travis Niesen has been a one-man warrior this season. Without him, the Broncos may be in even worse shape at this time next year.