2009 West Coast Conference Tournament Predictions
The 2009 West Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament is all set to tip off on Friday, March 6th from Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. If the boys can stay away from Sin City’s late night temptations, we should see some pretty good basketball being played in one of the strongest mid-major conferences. If you don’t get a chance to make it out to Vegas for the show, the championship game will be aired on ESPN on March 9th. Last season, we saw San Diego snap a 4-year conference tournament winning streak by Gonzaga. Will top seed Gonzaga reclaim its title or will another strong challenger knock the target off its back? Jimmy Boyd takes a look at the favorite and another team with the next best shot at winning in this predictions article. Bet the 2009 WCC Mens Basketball Tournament at BetUS.
The Favorite: Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are clearly the most talented team in the league and their No. 14 national ranking reflects that. Gonzaga ran the table in WCC play with a perfect 14-0 mark this season. The 24-5 Bulldogs had a few nailbiters, but they cleaned house for the most part with only four of their conference wins coming by fewer than 10 points. Gonzaga is in the field of 64 whether it wins or not, but after going down in the 2008 WCC Tourney, I expect the Zags to be out for blood this year. One thing that I really like about Gonzaga is its balance. Three players average in double figures with three more averaging 8.8 or more. This team is deep and it is experienced. Josh Heytvelt is a solid inside/outside player leading the way with 15.2 points per game and 6.8 boards per contest. I feel guard Matt Bouldin is the most important part of this team and my favorite player to watch on the Zags. He averages 13.8 points per game and is an excellent passer as well. Gonzaga ranks in the top 30 in the country in scoring, but one thing that doesn’t get acknowledged enough is how good it is on defense. Gonzaga allows its opponents to shoot just 36.8 percent from the field which is tops in the nation.
Another Team That Can Win: Saint Mary’s Gaels
You can make a case for third seed Portland, but I believe the only team capable of keeping the Zags from another tourney title is Saint Mary’s. The Gaels finished 10-4 in the league and gave Gonzaga more than it wanted in both meetings this season, losing by 7 at Gonzaga and by just 2 at home. Another thing to consider is that future NBA guard Patrick Mills broke his hand and did not play in the second half at Gonzaga and was not in the lineup at all when the teams met at Saint Mary’s. Mills is sensational and more than held his own against the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul while playing for Australia in international competition. Mills has been cleared to play in the WCC Tournament and he will give the Gaels a chance to win it as long as he isn’t too rusty.
2008 WCC Tournament Recap:
San Diego and not Gonzaga was the big story from the WCC in 2008. No. 3 seed San Diego knocked off No. 6 seed Pepperdine, No. 2 seed St. Mary’s, and then No. 1 seed Gonzaga to claim the title. San Diego advanced to the the Big Dance as a No. 13 seed and pulled off a 1-point shocker over the UConn Huskies in OT before losing to Western Kentucky in round 2.
Check out the college basketball lines this March right here at Locksmith Sports to see which books are offering the best NCAA basketball betting odds each day. And make sure you consult World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd for the most winning basketball picks.
