WAC Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and prediction

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 13: The Grand Canyon Lopes celebrate after defeating the New Mexico State Aggies following the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lopes defeated the Aggies 74-56. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) /

3 of 3

Dec 18, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks head coach Kyle Keller reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Who is the favorite?

This year’s tournament is wide open, which is kind of surprising as New Mexico has dominated the league the past decade. However, there is not one dominant team this year. There are six teams that could potentially earn the league’s automatic bid this year.

New Mexico St.

Allen can score on all three levels and the Aggies are a decent shooting team that defends well. Shot selection, winning the rebound battle, sharing the ball well, creating turnovers, and playing tough defense is key for NMSU.

Stephen F. Austin

Stephen F. Austin enters the tourney as the hottest team winning 10 straight. The Lumberjacks get after defensively and constantly pressure the ball. Controlling the tempo, offensive rebounding, shot selection, getting to the free-throw line, and creating turnovers is key for them.

Grand Canyon

The Antelopes will go as far as their defense carries them. GCU enters the tournament on a four-game winning streak, with each of the victories by double-digits, while going 8-2 over their last 10 overall. Sharing the ball, creating turnovers, and defending the 3-point line are keys for them.

Sam Houston State

The Bearkats thrive on the defensive end though scoring is a major concern, especially if Flagg is having an off night. Shooting the ball well, particularly from deep, getting to the free-throw line, rebounding, sharing the ball, and defending the 3-point line are key for the Kats.

Seattle

The young Redhawks are the conference’s highest-scoring team as they shoot and make a ton of threes free-throw shooting team. Seattle also is great at limiting turnovers while rebounding and fouling are issues.

Wild Card – Utah Valley

Aimaq is key for the Wolverines as he is a game-changer on both ends of the floor. Otherwise, the big question is can UVU score enough? The Wolverines are excellent defensively, ranking 33rd in the nation in efficiency on that end. They rank in the bottom half of the nation in offensive efficiency and they have been held under 60 points seven times while holding their opponents to under that number on 10 occasions.

Next. 2022 SEC Tournament preview. dark

UVU went 3-5 against the other top contenders as they were swept by GCU. Defense, getting to the free-throw line, and rebounding are critical for the Wolverines.

Projecting the champion: New Mexico State over Stephen F. Austin