Around the WCC - 23-24 version

[golions]

Mar 4, 2024 22:06:11 GMT -5 LIONS90045 said:

They could have waited until the play in game was played 😜

Tell me about it. 😆

Pepperdine has talent. Would keep an eye on the portal.

[ALioninWinter]

I don’t understand firing a coach with one game to go. It’s adding ridicule to the punishment of firing. Hate to see Romar go. He’s easily been the worst coach in the conference. Whoever they get is bound to be better. Coach Stan better up his game or he will be next. I’d say next season is his “make or break” year.

[golions]

Mar 4, 2024 23:00:13 GMT -5 ALioninWinter said:

I don’t understand firing a coach with one game to go. It’s adding ridicule to the punishment of firing. Hate to see Romar go. He’s easily been the worst coach in the conference. Whoever they get is bound to be better. Coach Stan better up his game or he will be next. I’d say next season is his “make or break” year.

Very weird timing right before the tournament.

Pepperdine will have a new AD coming in the spring and their new arena opening in 2026. Thinking they will make a big splash on their next hire.

Agree with you (re:CSJ)

[thx4leavinjimlynam]

Two teams playing against each other in the WCC Tournament both in their first game with an interim coach.

I wonder if that has ever happened in conference tournament history?

It would be pretty interesting to see if Pepperdine makes a little bit of a run without Romar in the way. I could actually see them winning two games now, which would not make me happy.

[LIONS90045]

The Dons lost a heart breaker in overtime to Cincinnati bearcats in the first round of the NIT. Cincinnati is #2 seed and the game was on their home court.

[golions]

Incoming Washington State has lost their head coach, Kyle Smith, to Stanford.

[thx4leavinjimlynam]

Wow, interesting how before the conference shuffling that this would’ve been a lateral move.

Will we be able to retain Romar? I’m happy we have him as an assistant, but for the same reason we went after him, some of these other programs may bring him in as a head coach to help fill the talent pool for their respective school.

[LIONS90045]

Fascinating 🤨
Meanwhile the Zags play Purdue and their 7’4” center in their next “dance.”

[LIONS90045]

Just noted 3 of the top 10 rated players in the transfer portal are from Stanford. Wonder if Kyle Smith can reverse some decisions to leave Stanford?

[golions1444]

This seems to be a pretty good website for tracking the portal

www.on3.com/transfer-portal/wire/basketball/2024/

[LIONS90045]

Mar 27, 2024 16:33:42 GMT -5 golions1444 said:

This seems to be a pretty good website for tracking the portal

www.on3.com/transfer-portal/wire/basketball/2024/

Thank you - looks pretty complete and up to date

[dedicatedlionfan]

Would be great to snag some of those Long Beach players who played for Munson! Just made the dance and seem like pretty loyal players. Don’t have to have a big scenery change either

[slblions08]

Once Watson got into foul trouble it was over for Gonzaga. They seem very perimeter oriented and while that was the old Gonzaga, the better teams were when they had tough inside guys. Ballo had developed over at Arizona but he was who they missed in Spokane. Watson was better served as a mobile 4.

Saint Mary’s really got the bad matchup for them. It’s the same story every year. They’re soft. Very skilled but soft. Next season Washington State and Oregon State should slide into 2-3 at least, knocking the Gaels down. Do I think the WCC will get four teams? I dunno. I found it fascinating that BYU went to the Big 12 with largely the same team as last season, same coach and identity and was in the top 25. I score that as a plus for he quality of the WCC. But next season I’m not sure that the committee would take Gonzaga, Wash St OSU and Saint Mary’s especially if the records don’t add up. I think preseason will be a huge key.

[LIONS90045]

SLB you didn't mention the Lions for the Big Dance?

[LIONS90045]

Two of the Waves top players who transferred landed with teams already in this years Big Dance - a pattern there.