Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: The mid-major favorites and darkhorses

By Doug Winkey

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; View of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders shirts worn during warm-ups prior to the game in the second round against the Syracuse Orange of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; View of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders shirts worn during warm-ups prior to the game in the second round against the Syracuse Orange of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) reacts after a basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half in a semifinal game in the Midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) reacts after a basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half in a semifinal game in the Midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

WCC

Favorite: Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Zags will have a stiff challenge from Saint Mary’s, but they are the favorites until someone else consistently wins the West Coast Conference. Mark Few has turned the Bulldogs into one of the strongest teams in the nation with transfers and international players. This year will be no different.

Nigel Williams-Goss (Washington), Johnathan Williams from Missouri and Jordan Mathews out of Cal are major pieces. Williams-Goss and Mathews are strong guards with Pac-12 experience, while Williams slides into the front court spot created by Kyle Wiltjer’s graduation.

One thing to watch is center Przemek Karnowski’s recovery from back trouble. If he gets hurt again, McDonald’s All-American Zach Collins could step in. Rui Hachimura (Japan) and Killian Tille (France) stand at 6’9″ or taller and could sub if they are ready.

Dark Horse: Portland Pilots

Nobody in the WCC can truly challenge the Zags, Saint Mary’s, or even BYU at the top, but Portland has a few pieces that could make the middle of the league interesting. The program brings former Portland Trailblazers star Terry Porter back home to try and right the Pilots’ ship.

Senior point guard Alex Wintering will challenge Gonzaga’s Williams-Goss as the best distributor in the the conference. The North Carolina native put up a state line of 18.3 points, 3.3 boards, 4.9 assists and 1.5 steals an evening in 2015-16. Wintering also shot an efficient 44 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep.

Next: Top five 2016-17 JUCO transfers

Wings D’Marques Tyson and Jarrel Marshall give the Pilots as experienced of perimeter group as you’ll find in the WCC. The front court rotation of Gabe Taylor, Ray Barreno and freshman Chier Maker (NBA lottery pick Thon Maker’s cousin) will determine if UP can fight for a top-half finish.

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