WCC Basketball: 2022 conference tournament preview and predictions
By Tuck Clarry
Considering the level of hype surrounding WCC Basketball heading into the beginning of the basketball season the year somehow managed to live up to the lofty speculations that writers, analysts, and fans had heading into the season.
The battles at the top were there, despite another dominant year for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, while Saint Mary’s returned back near the top of the standings after an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish last season. Upstart teams like Santa Clara and San Francisco were able to make things interesting and grabbed third and fourth place.
The surprise of the season had to be the struggles for predicted second-place finisher BYU, who struggled with frontcourt depth due to the health and injury of bigs Richard Harward and Gavin Baxter. But the troubles finding competent scoring alongside sharpshooting guard Alex Barcello proved too difficult for the Cougars to withstand against much-improved conference competition. The team expected big developments from senior Gideon George and sophomore Caleb Lohner on offense, but the wing and forward were unable to consistently contribute.
Another team with plenty of woes was darkhorse pick Loyola Marymount, who landed highly considered point guard Cameron Shelton and the return of do-it-all senior point forward Eli Scott. Stan Johnson’s team was ultimately unable to come together, playing the worst defense in the conference and finishing ninth.
In terms of positives, a tip of the hat must be given to first-year Portland Pilot head coach Shantay Legans, whose 7-7 conference record ties former head coach Terry Porter’s total regular-season wins over five seasons. The achievement is remarkable considering Legans arrived in Portland with the cupboards bare and no returning scholarship athletes. If the Pilots are able to win at least one game in the conference tournament, he will have matched Porter’s tournament wins as well.