WAC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Andy Patton | Mar 10, 2020

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: The Western Athletic Conference logo is shown on the court before the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament between the Grand Canyon Lopes and the New Mexico State Aggies at the Orleans Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) /

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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – DECEMBER 14: C.J. Bobbitt #13 of the New Mexico State Aggies (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

WAC Basketball has long belonged to New Mexico State. After a perfect regular season, will they win out once again in Las Vegas?

If you haven’t been paying attention to WAC Basketball for the past, I don’t know, decade, then you’d be the only person surprised to see New Mexico State at the top of the standings.

The Aggies may not have reached the Gonzaga pantheon, but they have continually dominated their WAC opponents, securing the conference automatic bid in each of the last eight seasons, and in 10 of the 14 years they have been in the conference.

That looks extremely likely to be the case once again in 2019-2020, as the Aggies rolled through the conference with a perfect 16-0 record.

Perhaps equally as unsurprising is the disastrous season by Chicago State, one of the worst Division 1 schools in the nation, who went 0-14 in league play and 4-25 overall. They played two fewer conference games thanks to the coronavirus, which ultimately lead to the team’s decision to forego their final road trip to Utah and Seattle.

The middle of the conference did have some surprises though, particularly the quick ascension of Cal Baptist. A Division II school just two years ago, the Lancers put together an impressive campaign. Led by Washington State transfer Milan Acquaah, Cal Baptist finished second in the WAC with a 10-6 record, and a 21-10 overall mark. Unfortunately, they will not be eligible for postseason competition until 2022, so they will not participate in the WAC tournament.

The expected rise of Grand Canyon has yet to occur, with the Antelopes finishing a disappointing fifth with an 8-8 record in conference play and a 13-17 overall record.

It’s no secret that the WAC tournament is New Mexico State’s to lose, but that doesn’t mean it won’t offer some fun basketball. Terrell Brown at SeattleU is one of many dynamic scorers who will be suited up in Las Vegas this weekend, and there are a few teams who could stun the Aggies and go dancing in March.