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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Feb 25, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Portland Pilots center Ray Barreno (32) grabs the rebound away from Brigham Young Cougars center Corbin Kaufusi (44) during the second half at Marriott Center. Brigham Young Cougars won 99-81. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Portland Pilots center Ray Barreno (32) grabs the rebound away from Brigham Young Cougars center Corbin Kaufusi (44) during the second half at Marriott Center. Brigham Young Cougars won 99-81. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Portland Pilots

2015-2016 record: 12-20 overall (6-12 WCC)

Head coach: Terry Porter (first year)

Key losses: Bryce Pressley, Jason Todd

Key returning players: Alec Wintering, D’Marques Tyson, Jarel Marshall, Gabe Taylor, Jazz Johnson, Ray Barreno, Phillipp Hartwich

Newcomers: Andre Ferguson, Malcolm Porter, Alec Monson, Chier Maker, Joseph Smoyer

Former Portland Trailblazer All-Star Terry Porter takes over for a Pilots squad that hasn’t finished better than sixth in WCC play since the 2010-2011 season. The road to respectability could be a long one, but I believe Porter will get tons of patience from the administration.

Portland is in a good spot to make a run at a CIT or NIT bid with five of their top six scorers back. Alec Wintering is my personal favorite to win WCC POY with his experience in the league. The senior guard averaged over 18 points and almost five assists a game last season while shooting 44 percent from the field.

He has a solid supporting cast, with six guys who saw double-digit minutes last season back for another year.

As far as youth and depth are concerned, there is perhaps no piece more intriguing than Chier Maker. The 6’7″ wing doesn’t appear to have tons of hype going into his college career, but he is the cousin of NBA first-round pick Thon Maker. At worse, Portland is a team that could press for a spot in the upper half of the league standings.