WCC Power Rankings: Opening week edition
by Max Mandel on Nov 15, 2009 9:37 PM PST
19 comments
Now that every team in the WCC has officially kicked off their season, we figured it was time to introduce the WCC Power Rankings. For those readers that are new to the site, every Sunday night I take a look at the past week of WCC action and put together a weekly power rankings of the conference. Last season, I made the mistake of not having Gonzaga at the top of my rankings on two separate occasions, and clearly that wasn't my smartest moment as a sports writer. Despite the returning talent at Portland, I am taking the approach that in order to knock Gonzaga off the top spot, these other teams must beat elite competition. I vow to longer be influenced by a great win-loss record when the competition is equal to my high school team (I'm looking at you St. Mary's). With that said, here is my take on how the WCC stacks up now that every team has opened the season.
1) Gonzaga (1-0): 94-75 win vs. MVSU
Like I mentioned before, until one of these other WCC teams goes out and beats some elite competition during the opening months of the season, I don't anticipate putting Gonzaga anywhere else. In the opener, the Zags looked very raw and very talented. It's clear that the skill and athleticism might be at the highest level in recent memory, but it may take a little longer for everything to gel. However, with Rob Sacre (17 and 9) and Elias Harris (18 and 7) playing so well in the post, this team will be able to handle nearly any front court they see.
2) Portland (1-0): 64-58 win @ Eastern Washington
Although it wasn't the blowout that some may have assumed, Portland deserves a lot of credit for going on the road and picking up a victory. The back court of T.J. Campbell and Nik Raivio is going to be a handful for every opponent on the Pilots schedule. In the opener against EWU, Raivio scored a team-high 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Campbell scored 15 and dished out four assists. This team will not have the growing pains that some of the other teams will have, but I still question how high the ceiling really is for this group.
3) San Diego (1-0): 77-64 win vs. Stanford
Normally a win over Stanford would be quite impressive, but the Cardinal are a long way from being a relevant team on the West Coast. The nice thing for USD is that it appears that the headaches and disruptions that really limited last season are officially out of the program. Brandon Johnson looked good in his return from injury, as he and De'Jon Jackson led the way with 18 points each. If the Toreros can receive any sort of consistent contributions from Chris Manresa and Roberto Mafra, this could be the surprise package in the WCC.
4) St. Mary's (1-0): 100-68 win vs. New Mexico St.
Just when you think that this conference is finally done dealing with great Australian guards, Matthew Dellavedova bursts on the scene and scores 19 points in his first game. This St. Mary's team will play a very European style of play, with a guy like Ben Allen, who at 6'11 is more comfortable scoring on the perimeter. Allen was a bit of a disappointment last year, but he scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had nine assists in the opening win. It will be interesting to watch this team develop, as the only guy who has really proven himself is Omar Samhan. However, it seems that this is still a very talented group who may surprise some people.
5) Santa Clara (1-0): 84-81 win @ Cal State Bakersfield
This is the team that I really want to see make the jump to the next level in the conference. Kerry Keating has done a nice job bringing in the guys that fit the mold of what he is looking for, and they did pick up a nice win on the road. Kevin Foster is one of the most explosive young guards in the WCC, and he scored a game-high 21 points in the victory. Much like USD, if the Broncos can find some depth and consistency in the post, they might finally be ready to make the move to push for a top three finish in the conference.
6) Pepperdine (0-1): 67-64 loss vs. Pacific
Despite opening the season with a loss, I came away pretty impressed by Pepperdine. Pacific is a traditionally solid program and this game went 2 OT's before it was decided. While I don't think he will win WCC POY because his team will struggle, Keion Bell might be the best player in the conference. Bell opened the season with a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, the Waves have not developed any guys to compliment Bell on this team.
7) USF (1-0): 73-62 win vs. Cal Poly
I hope people haven't forgot just how good Dior Lowhorn is. Lowhorn opened the season with a typically brilliant performance, scoring a game-high 22 points to help lead the Dons to a victory. However, unlike in the past couple of years, Lowhorn actually received help from his teammates. Sophomore guard Kwame Vaugh scored 15 points and pulled down seven boards, while Angelo Caloiaro added 15 more. If Lowhorn can receive this type of support every game, USF could be a nice team.
8) LMU (1-2): 90-87 loss vs. Boise St.; 83-60 win vs. North Dakota; 64-63 loss @ Montana
I can assure that LMU will not be in this spot towards the end of the season. Although they were a laughing stock throughout the 2008-2009 season, there is actually a nice core group of guys in the program. In fact, the Lions were just a couple of baskets away from a 3-0 start and a nice spot in these power rankings. Both Larry Davis and Drew Viney will produce well for this team after sitting last season because of transferring, and Vernon Teel is one of the better guards in the conference. Once this team gels and develops a nice chemistry, they will be a tough game for any team in this conference.
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Top 4
Obviously it is early in the season but that top four looks to be pretty solid. Hopefully Gonzaga can stay a level above Portland, St. Mary’s, and even San Diego but I’m not sure. St. Mary’s was especially impressive against NMSU and San Diego went out and beat a Pac-10 team. That’s a great first week. I think if I had to rank the top four purely on power I’d put:
Gonzaga: until someone knocks us off Love their starting five
-SMC
Portland A bit lower
San Diego Hopefully Brandon Johnson is back to normal.
Please, WCC, stay consistent!
The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!
for some reason
my browser shows big cross marks through my teams. not intentional…weird.
The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!
figured it out
if you put a dash i.e. – before and after a word or phrase it will automatically “strike” it. You must have used two dashes to separate out the team names. You can get the same effect by clicking on the s with a line through it above the text box when posting a comment.
by ZagsFanatic on Nov 15, 2009 11:51 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t think you can take a whole lot from this opening weekend as far as GU goes in many ways. There were probably a lot of lineups and combos in that MVSt game that we’ll never see again. That’s what this type of game was for this early.
OTOH, even though I didn’t see the game, I think so far you have to call SMC the most impressive team so far this season. Will they be better than GU when WCC play rolls around? I’d hope (and think) not, but based on actual results so far – NM St > than MV St by a good bit I’d wager and SMC smoked them. I was less than impressed with Portland’s start, but looking at the box score, it wasn’t as bad of a game for them as it seemed while in progress – they just need to work on giving up fewer fouls.
post play concerns
It’s amazing how quickly our concerns about the frontcourt were quieted by the surprisingly solid and efficient play of Robert Sacre and the ability, intensity and instincts of Elias Harris. If this group can lock down on d (which they appear to be concentrating on) and play as a team without rushing the offensive sets we should be in for an exciting and rewarding season!
Concerns
Watching the game again it was easier and very interesting to focus on the “Bigs”. Rob and E played very well in the “O” but look at the “D” stats and watch E and KO. Rob did OK but put himself into situations where he could spend more time on the bench. KO 17min. 4 fouls? E about the same min. and 3 fouls, Rob, 27 and 3 fouls! If Rob and E can’t stay on the floor it won’t matter how well they’re playing offensively.
KO! I tried to re-watch the game with my focus on KO and be fair on my evaluation of his play. The only positive was in most cases he showed good hustle. Other than that, he was constantly out of “D” position, plays with his hands down, slow a foot, doesn’t switch well on “D”, looked confused in the “O” and caused others to PU fouls by his lack of position and fundementals.
I think the “Bigs” are 50 % there and except for Rob, the others will really have to learn their “D” position play quickly in order for the Zags to advance against good teams. JMO
Finally, a note on Big Will. I noticed Daniel got “Blasted” for pointing out some good thing’s Will brings to the table and I agree with Daniel. In fact, after watching the game, Will should have got KO’s 17 minutes. He is much more valuable on the “D” end than KO and we certainly didn’t need KO’s scoring, did we? Will runs the floor, blocks shots and most importantly a stat that doesn’t show up——————he changes the other teams plays at times because of his presence. Nobody else on our team is capable of doing that, certainly not KO. Well, with my coffee, thats my Monday morning dig! Thanks for the posts, guys.
Some good points
I wasn’t able to go back and watch the game again, I am sure that I would agree with you more if I did but let me expound a little bit on my thoughts. Let me just say that I agree that the level of play will not cut it in March or in big games, but I was pleasantly surprised to see such solid performances in November from a largely inexperienced squad.
Rob- My expectations were very low for Rob this year, so what I have seen so far has been extremely encouraging. He has a nice touch and made some great scoring opportunities and really went after it on D. He can certainly improve this year but there is time for that. He is starting out the season much better than I had expected.
KO- Kelly looked like a deer in the headlights. He did hustle, but it seemed like he was just instinctively going after the big round orange thing rather than playing with purpose. Could just be first game jitters or he may simply have a larger learning curve in a new system, but as of right now it seems like he should be redshirting.
Elias- Chalk it up to the high level international play, I suppose, but I have never seen a Freshman look so comfortable and solid in his first game. The fouls are a big concern but there are two things that I took away from his early foul trouble. 1. This team was much more cohesive when he was on the court and really went downhill when he was on the bench in foul trouble. This is a testament to how good he is. 2. He just came from playing international ball. By all accounts international ball is more physical and he will have to learn what is and isn’t a foul in the NCAA. At least 2 of his fouls likely would not have been called in Europe. If there is one area of a game that is easy to improve it is learning NOT to foul. I cannot remember a freshman who has had more of an impact on a team in November…he will be special.
Will- I agree with you that Will deserves the minutes over KO. You make a great point that we don’t really need Kelly’s points right now. In 18 minutes or so per game if Will can score 4-6 points by being in the right place at the right time and impede the opposing team from scoring 8-10 then those are 18 quality minutes. I don’t care how oafish he looks at the offensive end, we need those minutes off the bench and in those ways he has delivered.
KO- Ehlo mentioned that coach few talks alot about how well kelly meshes with the team and maybe that is the case but i dont see it and i think Poling needs more time.
Rob- i agree my expectations were low and they still might be, i am still wanting him to go to the basket and i still see a majority of his shots shying away from contact.
Will- im glad people see that i am not attesting that will is the best player on our team but rather that he can add to the team if we use him correctly. And guys if your passing it to Will put it at the 6’5 7/0 level :)
by DanielwMathews on Nov 16, 2009 10:21 AM PST reply actions
Passing
You are so right! I’m one of the film buffs here maybe and I keep all the Zag games I can and just re-watch whenever I’m bored. Will has received most of his passes to him from below his chest down with even some bounce passes throughout his career! He’s 7’5", the ball has to given to him between 8-9 feet. On another note; I’ve never seen Will give a horrible performence on the floor for his talent level. You can’t say that about anybody else in the last 3 years, including the stars. Jmo
I would agree with you only because i know Will’s talent level. He just started playing ball as a jr in highschool. On the other hand having played some ball with him, he actually has a pretty decent shot (not hard to shoot over me though) he just lacks a certain confidence in the past during the games. THis year he seems a little confident so it will be fun to see.
by DanielwMathews on Nov 16, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions
aaghhhhh
I’ve seen him shoot uncontested in warmups and look horrendous. He does not have a decent shot. Keep trying to sneak them by, lol.
and i have seen him shoot in the gym or on in a driveway, but your right i dont think its defensive pressure i think its mental.
by DanielwMathews on Nov 16, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
In reading this...
When i read this again it sounds like i want him to shoot, i dont, at all. i just think you guys would be surprised what he is capable of if he can get out of his head
by DanielwMathews on Nov 16, 2009 6:59 PM PST up reply actions
WCC
Bad, weak, or whatever you call the WCC we will have 9 or 10 cakewalks and 5 games or so(SMC, Portland, SD) that could keep us within 10-15 if we get a couple injuries. If we stay healthy we’re about to rape this conference and steamroll through Vegas again. I saw UP play in person in Cheney and they aren’t very impressive, just like I’ve been trying to tell everyone! Worst case scenario we lose at SMC and UP(if they play out of their minds)… pretty high floor for us.
1) GU
2) SMC, UP, SD, SCU beating each other up
Do the rest of them even have teams anymore?
EW
They played well against WSU tonight and I thought it was a tough game. If you saw the WSU/EW game and the other, then you might be able to shed some light on how Portland played at Eastern? I still believe UP will be very competitive.
See thats what i like to hear, even though they have the wcc ranked as the 9th toughest conference i dont by it. on the other hand i dont mind it and i hope that they destroy everyone out of conference
Soundpound
The only ranking I could find was Andy Katz’s on 11-10-09, ESPN had WCC @ 11. I’m sure there are others!
I believe i saw it on CBS or foxsports, but i dunno they all mesh into one sometimes ya know.
by DanielwMathews on Nov 16, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
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