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Post by slblions08 on Jan 12, 2015 0:54:40 GMT -5
Updated Standings
Gonzaga 5-0 16-1 Saint Mary's 5-0 13-3 Pepperdine 4-1 11-5 BYU 4-2 14-5 Portland 2-3 11-6 San Diego 2-4 9-9 San Francisco 2-4 8-10 Santa Clara 2-4 7-10 Pacific 1-4 9-8 Loyola Marymount 0-5 4-13
No surprise with Gonzaga at the top.
St. Mary's although they don't look as special as they have in the past, are still running at the top, finding ways to win. But they have a horrible home loss to Northern Arizona that the committee will look at. They also lost to Boise State.
Next in line of notables comes our friends up the road in Malibu. They won a huge game at BYU which they basically controlled. Looks like Marty Wilson is really turning around that program. With bad non-conference losses they don't have NCAA hope, but they are a team to look to in the future. Just what LMU needs, Pepperdine waking up. Murphy's law at work here.
Speaking of BYU, they were our hope for a second WCC team in the tournament. However, they lack a signature win (although they beat Stanford) but losing to Pepperdine at home is considered a bad loss. Big disappointment for them and the conference.
After that, everybody has to be disappointed. Portland hit with injuries is not where they want to be. San Diego was my pick to make noise and they aren't very good. San Fran might turn it around late for Rex Walters as they get to know each other. Santa Clara and Pacific round out the bottom. Is keating going to be fired? Finally LMU brings up the rear, being blown out by the team ahead of them.
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 12, 2015 13:33:14 GMT -5
Coming into the season I wasn't too impressed with the conference. Everyone figured Gonzaga would be good and they haven't disappointed. I still think this may be their best team ever ... and they figure to get better as the season rolls along. They're a legitimate Final Four contender but Kentucky is a formidable hurdle.
At the beginning of the year I figured St Mary's and BYU would have half a chance each of making the Field of 68 if only because of their names and reputations. Neither team came into the season all that solid. The Gaels have 5 good starters and the best game coach in the conference. If they make their 3s, they're in the game. But if they don't, Waldo can't do it all. BYU has plenty of horses that can shoot but no inside game. I figured the addition of Aytles would make a big difference for them in the second half of the year, but he's out with a major injury. With bad losses on the record both teams will need impressive end-of-season runs to make the tournament.
The rest of the conference is pretty much a desert. Pepperdine is playing some good ball. Portland got hammered with injuries. I thought USF would be better but I've watched them and they aren't very good. If everything goes right, they can win. But they shoot themselves in the foot way too much. I love their new PG. He's going to be good but still makes a ton of mistakes. The remaining teams(including LMU unfortunately) aren't even worth talking about.
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Post by ironlion on Jan 12, 2015 13:36:35 GMT -5
Zags are ranked #3 in the nation now.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 12, 2015 17:47:23 GMT -5
If anyonen else say the SMC Pacific game, it was a miracle that SMC won and beat the 6.5 point spread on late foul shooting, including a silly technical. SMC played a terrible game and their guards did not shoot well. If they had played that game against the Lions, we might have prevailed. Bottom line: SMC's future is limited this year (agreeing with others). Also, BYU may not get in the NCAAs with such a weak front line.
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