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WCC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

By Tuck Clarry

Mar 9, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) is defended by BYU Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) in the first half of the West Coast Conference Tournament championship at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) is defended by BYU Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) in the first half of the West Coast Conference Tournament championship at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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WCC Basketball San Francisco Dons guard Jamaree Bouyea David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
WCC Basketball San Francisco Dons guard Jamaree Bouyea David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

4. San Francisco

The Dons are going to surprise some people this season as a possible at-large bid if they play up to their believable betting dogs against high-caliber opponents. They play a style that keeps them in a lot of games, with head coach Todd Golden’s penchant for 3-point attempts.

Golden can depend on the offense thanks to the dynamic backcourt tandem of Jamaree Bouyea and Khalil Shabazz. Bouyea averaged 17.3 points and 3.7 assists and was a solid perimeter defender averaging 1.5 steals. Shabazz beats him with 2 steals per game and is even more stifling on-man. He’s incredibly fast as well and is a killer with his pull-up game. He averaged 15 points last season while not shooting incredibly well at 36.6%. If he returns closer to his 41% average his freshman year the Dons become dangerous.

The Dons struggled last season in large part due to their like of post-play last season. Thanks to the portal, they were able to find answers in Yauhen Massalski and Tape. Massalski answers their biggest need for rebounding, as the team finished 9th in total rebounds in the conference. Massalski averaged 8.5 rebounds for San Diego last year and dominated the offensive glass. Tape joins the team after a quiet year with Duke but had previously excelled as a two-way player with Columbia.

Transfer Gabe Stefanini will also contribute by adding even more offense and depth for the guard position. Stefanini is a 41.5% 3-point shooter in college and has great handles. If San Francisco can defend the post better they have a legitimate shot at earning an at-large bid. If the Dons can play Tape and Massalski together that improved defense seems doable, but at the expense of the style Golden has liked to run.