WCC Basketball power rankings: Gonzaga, BYU survive close calls

WCC Basketball power rankings: Gonzaga, BYU survive close calls to stay on top

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 27: TJ Haws #30 of the BYU Cougars drives to the basket and lays the ball in during the second half of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 27, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

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SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 18: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to basket against Jake Toolson #5 of the BYU Cougars (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

WCC Basketball standings are still led by Gonzaga. But how do the rest of the teams rank, as they battle for seeding in the WCC Tournament?

WCC Basketball has shown its improved depth this season. The league has seven teams that can just about beat anyone in the WCC on a given night.

The league standings reflect a conference that has three tiers. The top three that are probable NCAA Tournament teams, the middle four that will be looking for post-season play elsewhere, and then the three teams that make up the bottom tier.

The WCC teams are battling for the all-important seedings into the conference tournament with four weeks left in their regular season. The fifth and sixth place teams will get a first-round bye. The third and fourth place finishers have byes for the first two rounds while the first and second place teams are placed directly into the semi-finals.

Let’s take a look at the current West Coast Conference power rankings and see how the seedings might take place.

10. Portland Pilots (9-15, 1-8) NET: 265

After the 76-65 upset win at home over San Francisco back on Jan. 4, the Pilots have lost seven straight ballgames. The win over the Dons was Portland’s only win in their past 13 games.

Portland is ranked #8 (#285 in the country) in the WCC in offensive efficiency and #10 (#230) in defensive efficiency. Graduate transfer 6’4 Isaiah White is leading the Pilots with 12.3 ppg. Junior JoJo Walker 6’1 adds 10.8 ppg. 6’9 junior post Tahirou Diabate has come on in his last four games (he missed the LMU game) averaging 17.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg over that span.

Coach Terry Porter’s club returns home to host BYU on Thursday before traveling to San Diego Saturday.