WCC Basketball: Gonzaga heavy favorite, BYU a contender in tournament

WCC Basketball: Gonzaga heavy favorite, BYU a contender in 2019 tournament

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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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs shoots over Kyle Alexander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

JR Brandon Clarke – Gonzaga

2018-19 Stats: 16.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.1 bpg, 68.5 FG%

Brandon Clarke is my WCC player of the year, and the biggest snub in recognition for national player of the year talk. In his first season at GU, Clarke has demolished the program record for blocks in a season, as he currently has 99. Clarke has been awarded conference player of the week twice this season, and the Zags will certainly look to his dominance offensively and defensively to win their seventh straight WCC Tournament.

JR Jordan Ford – Saint Mary’s

2018-19 Stats: 21.5 ppg, 2.6 apg, 43.2 3-point FG%

If the Gaels are going to lock up the automatic bid, they will need to do so with the help of starting point guard Jordan Ford. He facilitates this team and when he plays well, the Gaels tend to as well. The junior can score at ease, as he as recorded 20 or more points 19 times this season. The Gaels have gone 13-6 in these games. A pair of strong performances from Ford will be crucial for Saint Mary’s to claim the WCC auto bid.

JR Yoeli Childs – BYU

2018-19 Stats: 21.5 ppg, 9.8 pg, 51.3 FG%

Along with Ford, Childs leads the conference in points per game, as well as the outright most rebounds per game. Childs averages nearly 16 shot attempts per game, with a vast majority of these inside the key. The Cougars will need their star big man to play well this week, with hopes of taking down Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga in back-to-back games.

SR Frankie Ferrari – San Francisco

2018-19 Stats: 14.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 41 3-point FG%

Ferrari has been the catalyst for this highly improved San Francisco team, leading the squad in both points and assists per game. The Dons looked like a solid bubble team for the first half of the season, but a pair of three-game losing streaks in conference have diminished any hopes of that. As the No. 4 seed in the WCC tournament, the Dons will rely on Ferrari to get past, perhaps Loyola Marymount and Gonzaga.

SR Isaiah Pineiro – San Diego

2018-19 Stats: 19.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.2 apg

This San Diego team is a very strong 7 seed for this year’s tournament, and could certainly put together a few wins, especially if team leader Pineiro plays well. Pineiro ranks in the top five for both scoring and rebounding in the conference. With seven 25 or more point games, including two 30-point performances, the Toreros will rely on Pineiro for the possible multi-game stretch.