The West Coast Conference is often derided as the, “Big Two and Little Eight” and with good reason. The Gonzaga Bulldogs and Saint Mary’s Gaels are perennial powers in college basketball and the two marquee teams of the WCC. With the exception of San Diego in 2003 and 2008 the West Coast Conference Tournament has been won by either Saint Mary’s or Gonzaga every year since 1999. Gonzaga has won five consecutive WCC Tournament titles. Handicappers looking for an alternative to the “Big Two” will be hard pressed to find a good case. Yet the possibility of an upset run by a team with a hot hand is always present come tournament time.
From the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada the West Coast Conference Tournament will take place from March 2 through March 6.
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West Coast Conference Tournament action begins on Friday night with game one between Loyola Marymount vs. Portland. Game two follows with Santa Clara vs. Pepperdine. Saturday offers a total of four games on the WCC Tournament card. Game three pits BYU vs. San Diego to get Saturday action started. Following that is game four between San Francisco and Pacific. In game five Gonzaga will meet the winner of game one. Saturday action ends with Game six between Saint Mary’s and the winner of game two. On Monday the West Coast Conference semi finals take place with two games. The championship final is on Tuesday.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs aced out the Saint Mary’s Gaels by a single game for the West Coast Conference regular season championship. The BYU Cougars were a distant third place with a six game margin from the top. San Francisco, Pacific, and San Diego all finished eight games behind Gonzaga.
Gonzaga is ranked sixth in the nation and coming off a loss in the NCAA championship game last year. Under the leadership of head coach Mark Few the Zags have made the Big Dance each and every season since 2000. Few has transformed the Gonzaga program from being a cuddly cute underdog to a legitimate national power. The Bulldogs ranked 13th in the nation for scoring offense and boast six players who scored at least ten points per game.
Saint Mary’s strength was a defense that ranked 12th in the country for points allowed. Head coach Randy Bennett is in his 17th season with the Gaels. Bennett has led Saint Mary’s to five Big Dance bids since 2008 including a round of 32 run last year.
Key Stats
Despite a stellar straight up record of 27-4 the Gonzaga Bulldogs paid out in just 12 out of 28 lined games. Public perception has caught up with the Zags and bet down their value. The secret is out and so are the profits. Gonzaga paid out in just three of their last ten games heading into the WCC Tourney. Over the total paid out in just six of Saint Mary’s 27 lined games. The Gaels are also dropping in value with just three covers in their last nine games. Only Pacific, Loyola Marymount and Portland were marginally profitable teams from the WCC this year. Pepperdine, San Francisco, and Santa Clara were among the biggest money losers on the board this season.
Player to Watch
Jack Londale of Saint Mary’s is arguably the best player that will take the hardwood in the WCC Tournament. The senior center and Australian was a first team All-WCC last year. Londale dominated with a team best 21.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Gaels.
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Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga split their two regular season meetings this season. Ironically enough the road team won and covered each time. Gonzaga offers a deeper overall lineup but Saint Mary’s counters with Londale. In the last meeting between Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga Londale scored only four points in a 78-65 loss. It’s doubtful that Gonzaga can hold down the Aussie like that for a second time. Revenge will be a strong motivator for Londale and Saint Mary’s in the expected WCC title game against the Zags.
West Coast Conference Tournament Pick: Saint Mary’s Gaels
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