Busting Brackets
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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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December 31, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Santa Clara Broncos head coach Kerry Keating (right) instructs guard Jared Brownridge (23) against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at Leavey Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Santa Clara Broncos head coach Kerry Keating (right) instructs guard Jared Brownridge (23) against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at Leavey Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Santa Clara Broncos

2015-2016 record: 11-20 overall (7-11 WCC)

Head coach: Herb Sendek (first year)

Key losses: Brendyn Taylor

Key returning players: Jared Brownridge, KJ Feagin, Nate Kratch, Kai Healy, Matt Hubbard, Matt Hauser, Jarvis Pugh, Henrik Jadersten, Emmanuel Ndumanya

Newcomers: Julian Roche, Tony Lewis, Akil Douglas (trasfer from San Jose [CA] City College)

New coach Herb Sendek takes over the California program after spending nine seasons at Arizona State. He inherits a storied program that hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 1996. That might not change this season, but the Broncos made a tremendous hire that could look brilliant in a year or two.

Related Story: Kyle Smith hiring official at San Francisco

Jared Brownridge leads an experienced Broncos team as one of the most electric scorers in the West Coast Conference. The 6’3″ gunner put up nearly 21 points an evening last year and has a chance to end his career as the most productive player in Santa Clara history. The top seven scorers from last year’s team will try and carry SCU into the postseason.

The newcomers don’t have to do too much with so much returning firepower, but Julian Roche stands at 6’11” and was one of the most highly rated players in New Hampshire. The Bronco front court isn’t the most productive unit, so I could see Roche making an impact at some point.

Sendek is one of the most experience coaches in America and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets solid results. But the team needs more consistency in the scoring department beyond Brownridge to get to the CBI or CIT.