Gonzaga has been the class of the WCC, but this is the Zags’ last season in the league. So the question that looms over this trip to Vegas is whether the Bulldogs will ride off into the Pac-12 sunset with the title or will someone, like streaking LMU, rise to the challenge?
1. LMU (15-3, 21-8 overall)
LMU caught fire down stretch and won nine in a row to overtake the Zags at the top the league standings. Two Lions rank in the top 10 in scoring
(Maya Hernandez and Jess Lawson).
2. Gonzaga (14-4, 22-9 overall)
The Zags are looking to solidify their trip back to the Big Dance after a one-year absence, which was just their third missed Tourney over the last two decades. Lauren Whittaker leads the league in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.
3. Santa Clara (13-5, 23-8 overall)
The Broncos boast the highest scoring offense in the conference, but their defense is in the bottom half of the league. They’re the only team in the WCC with a scoring margin greater than +10 points per game.
4. Oregon State (13-5, 21-10 overall)
Kennedie Shuler does it on both ends of the floor for the Beavers as she ranks top five in both assists and steals.
5. Portland (11-7, 17-13 overall)
The Pilots have both the WCC leader in blocks (Julia Dalan) and steals (Dyani Ananiev).
6. Pepperdine (10-8, 19-11 overall)
Shorna Preston has been key on the glass as she ranks second in the league in rebounding.
7. San Francisco (9-9, 16-13 overall)
Candy Edokpaigbe can score with the best of them and ranks second in the league.
8. Pacific (6-12, 11-18 overall)
A five-game losing streak in the first half of conference play made it difficult to climb in the standings down the stretch.
9. Washington State (6-12, 7-24 overall)
Eleonora Villa powers this Cougar squad as she leads the WCC in minutes, is fourth in scoring, fifth in field goal percentage and sixth in assists.
10. Saint Mary’s (6-12, 15-16 overall)
The Gaels have the stingiest defense in the WCC but struggle to score the basketball (11th out of the 12 teams).
11. San Diego (4-14, 10-21 overall)
Kylie Ray has been a major bright spot for the Toreros as she is third in the league in scoring.
12. Seattle U (1-17, 5-24 overall)
It’s been a tough year for Seattle, who has lost 13 in a row. It won just one WCC game, but on the bright side, the Redhawks lead the league in free throw percentage.
