WCC Basketball: BYU, Pacific rises in latest 2020-21 power rankings

Jan 7, 2021; Spokane, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars forward Matt Haarms (3) reacts after being called for a foul during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half of a WCC men’s basketball game at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 6

Pepperdine Waves Colbey Ross WCC Basketball James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Pepperdine Waves (5-6, 1-1)

If you remove Gonzaga from the equation, you can make an argument that the Waves have the two best players in the WCC in Colbey Ross and Kessler Edwards. The duo has been strong, combining to average 34 ppg, 10 rpg, and 9.0 apg. Yet despite the top-heavy talent, Pepperdine has had some perplexing results.

They gave Gonzaga the toughest fight in the WCC to this point, but also trailed Portland near the end of the first half as well. The Waves also have double-digit home losses to both Cal State Bakersfield and UC-Santa Barbara. This is a team with the potential to beat almost anyone in the top-tier of the WCC but could also fall to Portland and San Diego on a wrong night.

7. Saint Mary’s Gaels (9-5, 0-3)

This was incredibly difficult to rank as the Gaels played three good teams (Gonzaga, BYU, and Santa Clara) and were in a one-possession game at the very end against two of them. However, the fact that all three of the losses came at home is a disastrous result, putting them in a bad position the rest of the way in the standings. And their 10-minute drought against the Cougars in last week’s defeat showed how little consistent offense they can rely on when Tommy Kuhse isn’t hot.

The hope is that Alex Ducas, who has been out for the past couple of weeks, can return soon and provide need shooting and spacing. But big man Matthias Tass has to perform better on offense to give them some balance. Had he played better against BYU and Santa Clara, the Gaels would be 2-1 in league play right now.