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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March 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Pepperdine Waves mascot performs against the Saint Mary’s Gaels 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; Pepperdine Waves mascot performs against the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the first half in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Pepperdine Waves

2015-2016 record: 18-14 overall (10-8 WCC)

Head coach: Marty Wilson

Key losses: Stacy Davis, Jett Raines, Shawn Olden, A.J. Lapray, A.J. John

Key returning players: Lamond Murray Jr., Jeremy Major, Kameron Edwards, Amadi Udenyi

Newcomers: Chris Reyes (transfer from Utah), Elijah Lee, three-star guard Knox Hellums, Kaijae Yee-Stephens, three-star forward Craig LeCesne, three-star forward Nolan Taylor

Pepperdine has so much potential that it’s hard to imagine that they’ve never gotten above fourth in the WCC under coach Marty Wilson.

That could change soon though. Of the middle-tier teams, the Waves have one of the most experienced groups back.

Must Read: Three burning questions for Virginia Tech

Lamond Murray Jr. scored over 16 points a night last season and point guard Jeremy Major is poised to finish his career as the leading assist man in Pepperdine history. Amadi Udenyi is also extremely steady with the ball, but has never provided much in the way of scoring during his years in Malibu.

Those three, along with wing Kameron Edwards, could be the majority of the team’s scoring power.

Returning bench play is almost non-existent, but Chris Reyes has potential after starting his career at Utah. Reyes averaged 4.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2014-2015.

Knox Hellums, Craig LeCesne and Nolan Taylor all had fairly good rankings from different recruiting services and could all be important depth for the Waves. However, they are still just freshmen. Even through a mild transition, I like this team to finish no worse than a third straight CBI appearance.