Busting Brackets
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WCC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Nick Raponi

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: A logo for the West Coast Conference basketball tournament is shown on the court before the championship game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: A logo for the West Coast Conference basketball tournament is shown on the court before the championship game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

1. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Last season: 31-2 (15-1) 1st Place

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the clear favorite to win the WCC this season, as they have debatably their greatest recruiting class in school history coming in while only losing three starters, including Filip Petrusev. While the loss of Petrusev is a big one, it means very little when you break down the team’s roster for the 2020-2021 season.

Let’s start with their incoming recruits. Jalen Suggs, who was 2020’s top-ranked PG in most recruiting rankings, will make an impact from day one with his ability to create offense for both himself and his teammates. In addition to Suggs, the team also boasts Julian Strawther, Dominick Harris, and Oumar Ballo as recruits who are eligible to not only play this season but make a serious contribution.

In terms of transfers, Gonzaga acquired South Illinois grad transfer Aaron Cook and Florida’s Andrew Nembhard. While the latter will have to sit out a season, Cook is eligible to play from day one and should make an immediate impact. Forward Anton Watson will be back after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury.

Next. 2020 NBA Draft needs for Western Conference teams. dark

On top of what they’ve gained, the Bulldogs still have impact players from last season’s team who are returning in Corey Kispert, Joel Ayayi, and Drew Timme. Between the incoming recruits/transfers and the return of the majority of their core, watch out for the Bulldogs to not just be WCC favorites, but NCAA Championship favorites as well.