Busting Brackets
Fansided

WCC Basketball power rankings: Gonzaga top dog heading into conference play

By Jason Burgess

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: A logo for the West Coast Conference basketball tournament is shown on the court before the championship game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: A logo for the West Coast Conference basketball tournament is shown on the court before the championship game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WA – JANUARY 11: Malcom Porter #1 and Josh McSwiggan #11 of the Portland Pilots box out Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs after a free throw in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on January 11, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Portland 103-57. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA – JANUARY 11: Malcom Porter #1 and Josh McSwiggan #11 of the Portland Pilots box out Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs after a free throw in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center on January 11, 2018 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Portland 103-57. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

10. Portland Pilots (7-8)

Portland checks in at No. 10 on the list. The 7-8 Pilots, led by Trailblazer legend Terry Porter have two non-D1 wins, have just one road win, a three-point victory over Cal-State Northridge, and went 2-5 in their last seven games before the start of league play.

The Pilots have struggled offensively, averaging just 72 points per game and they have failed to eclipse 70 points in six of their last eight games, including an ugly 54-39 win over Florida A&M in which both teams combined to shoot 31% from inside the three-point arc. On the season the Pilots shoot it at just 43.8%, couple that with the team’s -3.4 rebounding margin you can see how the team struggles on the offensive end. Portland also ranks 274th in the country in offensive efficiency at KenPom.com, but the good news for Pilot fans is that the roster is young, their eight-man rotation consists of four sophomores, two juniors, and two freshmen. The guard combo of Marcus Shaver, Jr. and Josh McSwiggan combine for 28.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, while fellow guard Jojo Walker does a bit of everything with 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.

Portland may continue to struggle in league play but, better days are more likely ahead for Porter’s squad.