The coaches for the women’s side of the WCC voted on preseason rankings for the league season, and in this article we will take a look at how accurate those rankings are looking after the conclusion of each teams non conference schedule.
10. Portland 4-7
Just like in years past, Portland finds themselves far below .500 heading into the league schedule. Look for Portland to compete in league, and even pull off a few upsets, but they will likely still find themselves at the bottom of league.
Best Win: 76-47 vs Hawaii
Worst Loss: 67-93 vs Washington
Impact Players: Spencer is averaging 12.1 points per game and has 17 assists on the season. Andersen is averaging 10.7 points per game and has 21 steals, and 26 assists on the season.
Impact Stats:
70.5% from the free-throw line
167 assists
203 turnovers
76 steals
9. Santa Clara 4-7
This might surprise many to see Santa Clara in the bottom third of league, but the Broncos have struggled this season after losing their two best producers after last season.
Best Win: 104-61 vs Menlo College
Worst Loss: 41-79 vs Cal
Impact Players: McGwire is averaging 9.7 points per game and has 26 steals. Martin is averaging 8.9 points per game and has 19 steals. Berry is averaging 8.5 points per game and has 14 steals. Wolph, who was the Broncos best shooter from range last season only appeared in one game this season before sustaining an injury.
Impact Stats:
67.2% from the free-throw line
145 assists
202 turnovers
96 steals
8. San Francisco 5-6
San Francisco lost their ring leader and leading scorer after last season in Rachel Howard. When the team was struggling, Howard was capable of taking over and controlling the game, however, without her they have struggled a little. They have showed promise this season, but will still find themselves in the bottom half of league come the end of the season.
Best Win: 83-71 vs Cal Poly
Worst Loss: 55-72 vs UC Davis
Impact Players: Seilund is averaging 14 points per game and 5.1 assists per game. Rakova is averaging 12.1 points per game and has 11 blocks. USF is shooting great from deep and that has kept them in games.
Impact Stats:
66% from the free-throw line
159 assists
163 turnovers
51 steals
7. Pacific 6-5
Best Win: 123-59 vs UC Merced
Worst Loss: 58-90 vs UC Davis
Impact Players: Luaulu Summers is averaging 16.1 points per game, 2.7 steals per game, and 5.7 assists per game. Fannie is averaging 13.5 points per game.
Impact Stats:
71% from the free-throw line
190 assists
176 turnovers
102 steals
6. BYU 4-6
You may be thinking that placing BYU in the bottom half of league is crazy, however, they have been on a steady decline in the past years after losing countless top producers in the last two seasons. They return the reigning WCC player of the year, but she does not have much support around her on this very young team
Best Win: 77-68 vs Utah
Worst Loss: 45-70 vs Cal
Impact Players: Devashrayee, formerly Broadhead, is averaging 20.4 points per game, and she has 37 assists and 23 steals. Chase is averaging 12 points per game and has 22 steals and 23 assists.
Impact Stats:
67.5% from the free-throw line
143 assists
181 turnovers
84 steals
5. Pepperdine 4-6
Pepperdine is a team that has extensive capabilities and tons of potential, they just have not been able to capitalize on it yet. They have only lost two games by more than 10 points which proves that they are competing in games, but they have been dropping the close contests too.
Best Win: 77-72 vs Nevada
Worst Loss: 65-89 vs Utah
Impact Players: Robinson Bacote has started out the year strong averaging 19.8 points per game with 7.8 rebounds per game, all while shooting 53% from the field. Bordonaro is averaging 8.1 points per game and has made 19-40 from 3 point range making her a 47.5% three point shooter.
Impact Stats:
69.5% from the free-throw line
127 assists
166 turnovers
75 steals
4. San Diego 7-4
San Diego has been impressive so far this season. They are struggling on the road, but are 5-0 on their home court. The Toreros only have one double digit loss on the season so far. They are another team that could swing either way in league, but look for them to be back in the top half of league this season.
Best Win: 72-69 vs Minnesota
Worst Loss: 64-89 vs Cal
Impact Players: Ward-El is averaging 14.2 points per game and has 42 assists and 18 steals. Hood is averaging 11.9 points per game shooting 55.3% from the field and has 23 steals.
Impact Stats:
72% from the free-throw line
186 assists
169 turnovers
105 steals
3. LMU 8-3
LMU got their star transfer off of her redshirt year, and she has proven to be a big difference maker for the Lions. They have impressive thus far in the season, knocking off some big teams and proving that they could be a front runner in league this season.
Best Win: 84-70 vs Arizona
Worst Loss: 70-80 vs USC
Impact Players: Wallace is averaging 17.4 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and she has 16 steals and 8 blocks. Green is averaging 15.4 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and has 24 steals and 12 blocks.
Impact Stats:
64% from the free-throw line
184 assists
180 turnovers
90 steals
2. Gonzaga 7-4
This may surprise people to see Gonzaga out of the top spot, but they have dropped some bad games in their non conference schedule this year and have been very inconsistent. It is hard to put a team like that in the conference winning spot, but look for them to develop consistency and end up at the top of league this season.
Best Wins: 64-56 vs Washington State without Jill Barta for half of the game.
80-65 vs Western Illinois who was coming off of a win at Stanford.
Worst Loss: Play4Kay Tournament.
63-71 vs Belmont
71-88 vs Depaul
Impact Players: Barta is averaging 19.2 points per game, while shooting 41.7% from 3 point range, 9.6 rebounds per game, and 17 steals. Rice is averaging 13.6 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, and has 12 blocks. Smith is averaging 11.6 points per game, and is better that Stockton in every category with 7 blocks, 25 steals, and 28 assists.
Impact Stats:
69.7% from the free-throw line
144 assists
159 turnovers
101 steals
1. St. Mary’s 7-4
St. Mary’s was very impressive last season and only graduated on impact player in Devyn Galland. They returned a scary good team, however, Turner is out for the season so this has changed the Gaels gameplay. They are still very strong and will make a good run at the top of the league.
Best Win: 88-82 vs. Indiana
Worst Loss: 50-74 vs. UC Davis
Impact Players: Beck is averaging 15.7 points per game and has 13 steals, 7 blocks, and 31 assists. Ragio is averaging 15 points per game and has 9 steals. McKay is averaging 16.7 points per game while shooting 62% from the field.
Impact Stats:
66.3% from the free-throw line
120 assists
129 turnovers
50 steals
The league schedule is about to start, and it looks like it is going to be another crazy year in the WCC.