WCC Basketball power rankings: Pacific, Santa Clara gain surprising wins

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: The Saint Mary's Gaels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs play in the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 12, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Gaels defeated the Bulldogs 60-47. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03: Loyola Marymount Lions cheerleaders (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

9. Loyola Marymount (7-10, 1-2) NET: 238

After defeating San Diego 64-58 at home, Loyola Marymount got beat up by BYU and Gonzaga. The win over the Toreros alone has them ranked a notch above San Diego and out of the WCC cellar. Coach Mike Dunlap’s slow-down offense has them ranked #341 in KenPom’s adjusted tempo rating.

6’6 junior Eli Scott is showing the WCC that he is one of the better players in the league. He is leading the Lions with 16.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg. 6’8 Ivan Alipiev adds 11.0. But that is about it offensively.

A win at Pepperdine Thursday could bring a jump start to the offense that is badly needed.

8. Portland Pilots (9-9, 1-2) NET: 224

The Portland Pilots played way better than could be expected in the opening week in WCC play, good enough to move them out of last place in the power rankings.

Portland led Gonzaga 47-41 with less than 18 minutes to play before bowing 85-72 in their opener. The Pilots then defeated San Francisco at home on Jan. 4. However, Portland came back to earth on their trip to Provo, losing 96-70.

Graduate transfer Isaiah White is leading the Pilots with 13.0 ppg. Junior JoJo Walker and Coach Terry Porter’s son, Malcolm Porter, add 10.7 and 10.2 ppg, respectively.

Portland returns home to host Pacific and San Diego this week.