Busting Brackets
Fansided

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

By J.D. Caldwell

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 25: Head coach Damon Stoudamire of the Pacific Tigers (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 25: Head coach Damon Stoudamire of the Pacific Tigers (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

7. Pepperdine Waves (12-11, 5-4) NET: 140

Coach Lorenzo Romar’s team has played solid throughout conference play, aside from the 107-80 thumping at BYU on Jan. 30.  The Waves bounced back with a 68-67 overtime win at Loyola Marymount last Saturday.

Pepperdine is ranked #65 in adjusted offensive efficiency but #265 on the defensive side.  The Waves are especially susceptible when opponents are shoot threes, ranked #344 with allowing 38.7% shooting.

The Waves four players averaging in double figures led by junior Colbey Ross at 19.2 ppg with 7.3 apg.  Ross is followed by Kameron Edwards (17.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Kessler Edwards (14.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg), and Skylar Chavez (11.2 ppg).  Meanwhile, Pepperdine has been without starting guard Jade’ Smith with injury since Dec. 6.

Pepperdine have some good matchups coming up as they host Santa Clara Thursday and travel to Pacific on Saturday.

6. Pacific Tigers (17-8, 5-4) NET: 124

Coach Damon Stoudamire’s improving club is stuck in a four-way tie for third place in the WCC.  He is hoping a favorable schedule will help them move ahead of the pack.  Pacific will have no more games playing BYU or Gonzaga in the regular season.

6’5 senior Jahlil Tripp leads the Tigers with 15.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg.  He is the only player scoring in double figures in the Tigers’ slow-down offense.  Pacific is ranked #330 in KenPom’s adjusted tempo.

Pacific will try to move ahead in the standings when they play at San Francisco on Thursday and at home against Pepperdine on Saturday.