WCC Basketball: 2023 conference tournament preview and predictions

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WCC Basketball Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther (0) celebrates with guard Malachi Smith Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Semifinals

#1 Saint Mary’s vs. #5 BYU (March 6, 9:00 pm)

The conference’s two best non-Gonzaga programs are certainly in different positions this season. These two teams actually played a pair of close exciting games this season, with the Gaels coming away with two clutch wins, including a 1-point victory in Provo back in late January. Saint Mary’s is just too talented for this year’s BYU team, even on a relatively hot streak in the conference tournament, and you can expect Johnson and Mahaney to do just enough to push the Gaels into another championship game appearance.

Saint Mary’s wins

#2 Gonzaga vs. #3 Santa Clara (March 6, 11:30 pm)

We don’t yet know what will happen against Chicago State, but it’s clear that Gonzaga is ending the regular season as the hottest team in the league, having just beaten Saint Mary’s last weekend. The Bulldogs have Timme and Julian Strawther and a plethora of talent, but this Santa Clara team gave them a legitimate test on the road nearly two months earlier. This is unquestionably a matchup of the two hottest teams in the league, but can the Broncos’ offense keep up?

Gonzaga wins

Finals

#1 Saint Mary’s vs. #2 Gonzaga (March 7, 9:00pm)

Sitting two spots higher in the NET is the reason that Saint Mary’s finished in the top spot despite both teams finishing 14-2 in conference play. When the ball is tipped at center court, none of that matters at all. Neither teams need a bid into the NIT and neither team is going to give anything short than their all to split a season series tied at 1 apiece.

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When Saint Mary’s won the first game, Strawther had a poor performance, while it was Mahaney struggling in Gonzaga’s win a few weeks later. While this will come down to more than just the top players on these teams, it’s hard to ignore the team that looks better on paper. Mahaney’s freshman season has been explosive and Johnson is an All-WCC talent all over the court, but Gonzaga just proved they can beat the Gaels last weekend and will get the job done with another WCC Tournament crown.