West Coast Convo WCC Preseason Poll
By Josh Horton
Jan. 26, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kevin Pangos (4) walks off the court after a game against the San Francisco Dons at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs beat the Dons by a final score of 66-52. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
1. Gonzaga
Record Last Season: 32-3 (16-0). NCAA Tournament 2nd Round
Key Loses: Mike Hart, Elias Harris, Kelly Olynyk
Key Returners: Kevin Pangos, Gary Bell Jr., Sam Dower, Przemek Karnowski.
Key Additions: Gerard Coleman, Angel Nunez, Ryan Edwards
Last season was arguably the best season in the programs history, after the Zags climbed to the tippy top of the rankings prior to march madness. On top of that, the Bulldogs ran the table in the conference and forward Kelly Olynyk was named a first team all-American.
Can the Zags repeat that success this year? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean Gonzaga will fall from the conference elite.
Gonzaga will be very much in contention for the conference title this season, despite losing its entire starting frontcourt of Kelly Olynyk, Elias Harris, and Mike Hart. As a result, Sam Dower and Przemek Karnowski will step into starting roles and will be asked to replace some of the departed player’s production. Look for freshman Ryan Edwards to give Dower or Karnowski the occasional rest or spell them if either of them are in foul trouble. Angel Nunez will contribute some minutes at the power forward position, but he is not eligible until after the fall semester. 6-6 guard Drew Barham will play some minutes at the 4, in hopes to stretch out the defense.
The backcourt features a pair of two-year starters, juniors Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. These two will serve as the teams leaders, and will account for a great deal of the Bulldogs scoring as well. Senior point guard David Stockton is a phenomenal passer and will be relied on to feed Dower and Karnowski down low. Providence College transfer Gerard Coleman is a freak athlete, and will be tough to stop on the wing.
By Josh Horton (@WestCoastConvo)