Busting Brackets
Fansided

WCC Basketball: Gonzaga finally has challengers

By Doug Winkey

March 8, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few speaks to the crowd against the Saint Mary's Gaels after the game in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 8, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few speaks to the crowd against the Saint Mary's Gaels after the game in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels guard Emmett Naar (3, left) shoots the basketball Pepperdine Waves guard Jeremy Major (3) during the first half in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels guard Emmett Naar (3, left) shoots the basketball Pepperdine Waves guard Jeremy Major (3) during the first half in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Saint Mary’s Gaels

2015-2016 record: 29-6 overall (15-3 WCC)

Head coach: Randy Bennett

Key losses: None

Key returning players: Emmett Naar, Dane Pineau, Calvin Hermanson, Joe Rahon, Evan Fitzner, Jock Landale, Kyle Clark, Stefan Gonzalez

Newcomers: Three-star guard Jordan Ford, three-star forward Elijah Thomas, Jock Perry

The Saint Mary’s Gaels have 99 percent of their scoring back for another run at the Big Dance. Saint Mary’s was one of the most efficient units nationally as they finished 17th in adjusted offense. The next step is getting Gonzaga to relinquish its hold on the WCC’s automatic bid.

The back court duo of Emmett Naar and Joe Rahon is one of the best around. The two combined for nearly 25 points an evening, along with over five assists each. Kyle Clark and Calvin Hermanson are both very solid from the wing and the front court combination of Evan Fitzner, Jock Landale and Dane Pineau might be the best bunch in the WCC.

Backup guard Stefan Gonzalez only played 10 minutes an evening as a freshman, but still managed to nail over 51 percent of his attempts from long distance.

With such talent coming back, the freshman class won’t be asked to do much. Despite that, perimeter players, Jordan Ford and Elijah Thomas, are both capable of playing right away based on their incoming rankings, and Jock Perry (one of seven Australians on the roster) has the size at 7’1″ to battle up front.

Getting past the Zags has been nearly impossible for years, but Saint Mary’s has all the tools to knock them off. Also, expect the Gaels to be a top-25 team for the majority of the season.