WCC Basketball: 2021-22 power rankings heading into Christmas break

By Tuck Clarry | Dec 20, 2021

Dec 18, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22), guard Julian Strawther (0) and center Chet Holmgren (34) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Colangelo Classic at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 5

WCC Basketball Santa Clara Broncos guard Christian Carlyle Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

6. San Diego (7-5)

+1 spot
Last week: Defeated Northern Arizona 69-59

This week: at UNLV

The Toreros are in the best shape they’ve been in three seasons, thanks in large part to an emphasis on good team defense. Sam Scholl’s team is the best team in the country in terms of running opponents off of the three-point line. They lead the country in opponent three-points made per game and second in three-point attempts per game which helps them keep games close. Four of their five losses were by five points or fewer.

Transfer senior Marcellus Earlington has been a key difference-maker, leading the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game and 6.7 rebounds. The Toreros will be a sneaky difficult matchup for a lot of the teams listed in the rest of these rankings.

5. Santa Clara (9-5)

Last week: Lost Boise State 60-72, Defeated Florida A&M 80-66, Defeated Montana 79-64

This week: at San Jose State

Despite the loss to Boise State to start this week’s slate of games, Santa Clara seems to be headed back to the level of play we saw at the beginning of the year. Senior leader Josip Vrankic is back from his mononucleosis diagnosis. He led the way in their win over Montana Sunday, scoring 20 points and bringing down 10 rebounds.

Vrankic and junior Jalen Williams are one of the best tandems in the country and we could see the Broncos rising throughout the next couple of months.