NCAA Season Preview: West Coast Conference Predictions For 2010
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Not a whole lot changes from year to year in the West Coast Conference, no matter what the results, it tends to pretty much end all the same way. Gonzaga at the top and the rest falling in behind.
Of course, the Zags posted a stellar 27-7 record, including a first-place finish in league play at 12-2, good enough to grab their 10th consecutive conference crown in 2009-10. But there could be some changes on the horizon after St. Mary’s posted the most wins with 28 in 2009 and made a run to the Sweet 16.
In fact, Loyola Marymount closed the gap on Gonzaga as well, with a 15-win turnaround from the year before.
Rounding out the conference top tier is Santa Clara who finished below .500 last year, but they have better days ahead.
The following is a look at a few of the top teams in the West Coast Conference this season along with their current odds to win the national championship.
All odds are supplied by Sportsbook.com
Gonzaga (+5000) – The ‘Dogs lost some of their depth from last season including leading scorer Matt Bouldin. Without a good point guard, shooting along the perimeter could be a problem. The frontcourt remains a strength led by impact rebounding sophomore Elias Harris. There is certainly enough talent remaining on this year’s squad for Gonzaga to maintain their reign atop the division, but they may have to work a little harder to get it done.
St. Mary’s (+20000) – The Gaels had their best season in school history last year, but you have to question if a repeat performance is in the cards. While I don’t think a 28-win season is looming, I do think there is a ton of talent to pace Gonzaga down the stretch.
The team may struggle without low post presence Omar Samhan, but guard play remains solid with two of the nation’s best three-point shooters. If the team can get hot from downtown, the interior play may be irrelevant.
Loyola Marymount (+8000) – The Lions were by far the conference’s most improved and biggest surprises last season, finishing 18-16 overall, including a fourth-place finish in the WCC at 7-7. The good news is that they return every single player — with the exception of one — from last year’s squad including three starters as well as forward Drew Viney who had an immediate impact on his arrival from Oregon last season. The team achieved a great deal last season despite numerous injuries, and if they can maintain a healthy squad, they could be well on their way to a 20-win season.
Santa Clara (+8000) – The Broncos won just 11 games a year ago, including three in-conference, but with five returning starters, along with 2009 Co-Newcomer of the Year Kevin Foster, they should be able to improve this season. The team’s problem was long-range accuracy a year ago, and Foster solves that problem, shooting 85 three-pointers in 2009. The frontcourt is solid and should give the Bronc’s good interior presence and good low post penetration.
THE PICK: Call me a creature of habit, but I have to go with the Bulldogs as much as like St. Mary’s chances to overthrow the crown. But, I still think they are one season away from that reality.
Pick: Gonzaga (+5000)
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Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. “ Football (soccer) is a game in which a handful of fit men run around for one and a half hours watched by millions of people who could really use the exercise.”
