By CURRAN McCAULEY
With WCC teams participating in exhibition games this week in advance of Friday’s tipoff, it’s time to look at the key performers from the conference that will dominate Thursday’s and Saturday’s throughout the winter and spring. In a league seemingly loaded with scoring talent and featuring a National Player of the Year frontrunner, cracking the top ten is no small task for these talented standouts.
- Kyle Wiltjer, Sr. Guard, Gonzaga – The National Player of the Year frontrunner and Preseason All-American will be in the spotlight for the Bulldogs as Gonzaga chases down a Final Four berth. Look for the Oregon native to light up scoreboards across West Coast Conference venues this winter en route to a chance at glory in March. The quest for the elusive national semifinal berth will begin as Gonzaga faces Pittsburgh in Okinawa, Japan on Friday.
- Kyle Collinsworth, Sr. Guard – BYU – Slotting Collingsworth second is a testament to how good Wiltjer has been. An Honorable Mention All-America selection a season ago, Collinsworth would be a runaway Player of the Year in a number of conferences. He cemented his place in the NCAA record books with the single-season record and tied the NCAA career record with 6 triple-doubles last season. The veteran will captain his Cougars one final time in 2015-16, starting with BYU’s season opener against cross-town rival Utah Valley on Friday night.
- Stacy Davis, Sr. Forward – Pepperdine – Stacy Davis is the unquestioned leader of a Pepperdine team that has been a trendy pick to break the “Big 3” dominance in the WCC and land a NCAA tournament selection. A two-time All-WCC first team selection, The Phoenix, Ariz. product is slated to become Pepperdine’s all-time leading scorer by the end of the season.
- Przemek Karnowski, Sr. Center – Gonzaga – Karnowski is part of the vaunted Gonzaga frontcourt and had a career year as a junior last season, earning All-WCC first team honors. Expect the Polish sensation to build on his 2014-15 success as he teams up with absurdly talented sophomore Domantas Sabonis in the paint for the Zags.
- Domantas Sabonis, So. Forward – Gonzaga – Speaking of Sabonis, the WCC All-Freshman team selection a year ago will look to continue his forceful play under the bucket. One of the best rebounders in the nation, Sabonis will see an expanded role after coming off the bench for all but one game in 2014-15.
- Jared Brownridge, Jr. Guard – Santa Clara – A prolific scorer, Brownridge will be without fellow Midwestern guard Brandon Clark, who graduated after a stellar senior campaign. Last season, Brownridge posted 15.9 points per game average and should be relied on even more as part of Kerry Keating’s strategy for the Broncos.
- Joe Rahon, Jr. Guard – Saint Mary’s – Rahon is the wild card on this list after sitting out last season following a transfer from the ACC’s Boston College. Rahon started all 33 games for the Eagles as a freshman in 2012-13 and has averaged just less than ten points a game. The San Diego native will look to make a splash in Moraga in Randy Bennett’s guard-heavy offense.
- Alec Wintering – Sr. Guard – Portland – Wintering was one of the most dynamic players in the WCC last season, constantly putting up big performances and highlight reel moments in the Rose City. A Charlotte, N.C., product, Wintering averaged 12.3 points per game and put up more than 20 points eight times, including a career-high 30 in a loss at Brigham Young.
- T.J. Wallace, Jr. Guard – Pacific – Wallace will help lead a Pacific squad that appears ready to compete in the West Coast Conference two years after transitioning from the Big West. The Stockton native will try to elevate his hometown squad, but won’t have to do it alone, as he hopes to rely on fellow guard David Taylor and newcomers Tonko Vuko and Maleke Haynes for scoring output.
- Chase Fischer, Sr. Guard – BYU – The contributions by Fischer to the squad from Provo were overlooked by the heroics of Collinsworth and Tyler Haws last season. Expect that to change this year as Fischer, a Wake Forest transfer, will look to build on a season in which he ranked 1st in the conference in 3-pointers made and made six against Ole Miss in the NCAA tournament.
Early November Games To Watch:
No. 9 Gonzaga vs Pittsburgh, November 13th (4:00 pm PT, Okinawa, Japan)
In a made for television ESPN showcase, Gonzaga takes on an established Pittsburgh squad out of the ACC in the Armed Forces Classic, which will take place at Camp Foster. Pitt settled for the NIT last season and was picked 10th in the ACC Preseason Poll.
Pepperdine at Fresno State, November 13th (7:00 pm PT)
Pepperdine will be instantly tested against a Mountain West opponent at Fresno State next Friday. The Bulldogs finished under .500 last season, but racked up a 10-8 conference mark and an 11-3 home record. The Waves, fresh off an NIT appearance a season ago, will look to Stacy Davis to lead them to a chance at the Big Dance.
Stanford at Saint Mary’s, November 22nd (8:00 pm PT)
Stanford represents an early marquee matchup for the Gaels as the Bay Area rivals square off at what is sure to be a rowdy McKeon Pavilion. The Cardinal were the NIT champions last season after dispatching Miami at Madison Square Garden but lost Chasson Randle to graduation. An intriguing name for the Gaels is Joe Rahon, who is eligible after sitting out last season. The transfer from Boston College was a key contributor to the Eagles at point guard in two seasons.
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