WCC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 04: Head coach Damon Stoudamire of the Pacific Tigers reacts during a quarterfinal game of the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 4, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga won 82-50. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

No. 8 – LMU Lions

LMU finished fifth in the conference last year with an 8-8 record and a very nice 22-12 overall record, which included wins over South Florida, Boise State, Georgetown and UNLV.

They are challenging themselves similarly this year, with games against Nevada, Colorado and Colorado State. Unfortunately, the team lost James Batemon to the pros and recently learned that big man Mattias Markusson will redshirt this season for what is being called personal reasons.

That’s a huge blow for an LMU team that had the potential to be a top-five team in the conference. They’ll now be lead by 6’7 wing Dameane Douglas, and All-WCC freshman last season who has a chance to break out in a big way next year.

This team could finish anywhere between 5-10 in the conference, and a lot of that will rest on how Douglas does with the spotlight down in Malibu.

No. 7 – Pacific Tigers

Pacific had a rough year last year, the third under coach Damon Stoudamire. They went 4-12 in league play and 14-18 overall, finishing ninth ahead of Portland.

They also lost Roberto Gallinat, one of the most prolific scorers in the WCC, to graduation, as well as rising sophomore guard Ajari Sonni after he announced he is transferring to UC-Santa Barbara.

That leaves this Pacific team without a lot to be excited about for next season.

They do return a pair of solid forwards in Jahlil Tripp and Jeremiah Bailey – a potential breakout candidate – but it could be another rough year in Stockton for the Tigers.