West Coast: Conference Tournament Preview

Begins: March 6
Championship Game: March 10
Television Coverage: ESPN2, ESPN
Tournament Bracket: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/west/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/15-wcc-mbb-tournament-bracket.pdf


Overview:
Gonzaga. That's really all the overview you need here. The Zags have been to 16 straight NCAA Tournaments. They have won at least one tournament game every year since 2009. They have been to 5 Sweet 16s. They're ranked 7th in the country this season and are a likely number 2 seed. For a team from a mid-major conference, those stats are astounding. Gonzaga is a force, and they will be heavily favored to win this tournament again.

Favorite to Win: Gonzaga (29-2, 17-1)

Gonzaga is obviously the favorite here. In fact, for as long as Mark Few is around, it's safe to just go ahead and pencil Gonzaga in as the favorite in the WCC Tournament. Few has created a dynasty at Gonzaga and left everyone else in the dust. The Zags have only lost 1 conference game since February 23...of last year. They have only lost 1 conference game at home since March of 2012. But, that one conference loss? The one loss at home since 2012? That was on Saturday against BYU. Gonzaga was stunned by the Cougars who are, or at least were, very much on the bubble. Was that game just a blip on the radar or are the Zags trending in the wrong direction heading into March? The WCC Tournament could go a long way in answering that question.

Most Likely to Upset Favorite: BYU (23-8, 13-5)

Again, there is an obvious choice here. BYU is the only team to have beaten Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference this season, so it is easy to pick them to be the most likely team to do it again. BYU has, at least for now, solidified their position as a tournament team. An early exit from the WCC Tournament could put that into question, though. And I'm sure they would feel much more at ease if they could just go ahead and win the whole thing outright to get the automatic bid. They are the number 2 seed and won't have to face Gonzaga again until the championship game. Could lightning strike twice?


Dark Horse to Win: (St. Mary's 21-8, 13-5)

Remember how Gonzaga hadn't lost a conference game at home since March of 2012 before the BYU loss? Well, St. Mary's was the team who beat them. The Gaels are Gonzaga's biggest rival and have been their biggest challenger in years past. They are probably tired of being Robin to Gonzaga's Batman, but it's not a bad position to be in. They gave Gonzaga their biggest test in conference play before the BYU loss. They had the Zags on the ropes, in fact. They led by 9 with 6:30 left to play. But the game slipped away. Still, playing the then number 3 ranked team in the country down to the wire has to help you think you can beat them the next time around. If St. Mary's gets another chance, maybe, just maybe, they could pull off the upset.

Expected Tournament Bids: Gonzaga, BYU, Conference Tournament Winner

Gonzaga will be dancing regardless of the outcome in the WCC Tournament. Outside of the Zags, BYU is the only team who is even close. With BYU's upset of Gonzaga, they are probably in. Of course, an early-round loss in the WCC Tournament might knock them right back out again. That is just how perilous BYU's position is. They need to hold form to keep their at-large bid.