West Coast Convo
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The WCC From a National Perspective

By Josh Horton

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March 8, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions forward Taj Adams (10, left) and guard Anthony Ireland (3) celebrate against the Santa Clara Broncos during the second half in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Here at West Coast Convo we give our readers news surrounding the WCC from our perspective..  However, sometimes it is nice to read about the national perspective for a change. Yesterday night I picked up the latest Lindy’s sports college basketball 2013-2014 season preview magazine, and there was some interesting WCC tidbits inside. Below is Lindy’s perception of the WCC, and its teams, players, and coaches.

  • Gonzaga came in at 18 for their preseason rankings. Only the top 40 were ranked, and BYU was left off the list.
  • Lindy’s has Gonzaga as the WCC’s automatic bid into the big dance, with BYU earning an at-large bid.
  • The WCC was ranked the 9th best conference in the nation, ahead of the Atlantic 10, the Missouri Valley, and Conference-USA. High regard for the WCC from Lindy’s.
  • Gonzaga guard Kevin Pangos was ranked the 8th best point guard in the nation, while LMU’s Anthony Ireland came in at 17. West Coast Convo had these two flip-flopped in our WCC point guard rankings, which can be read here. (freshmen were not included)
  • Tyler Haws of BYU is ranked the 4th shooting guard in the nation, and Gonzaga’s Gary Bell Jr. also made an appearance in the top 10 at no. 8.
  • The Zags Sam Dower is the 24th best power forward in the nation according to Lindy’s, which might make fans of the other nine WCC teams cringe.
  • Gonzaga’s Polish center comes in as the 15th ranked center. This might be a little too high for Karnowski, because he didn’t show he was a top 20 center last season statistically. Everyone knows the potential is there, but this high of a ranking is premature. Saint Mary’s center came in at no. 20. Like the point guards, we had Waldow high than Karnowski in our center rankings, which can be read here.
  • In the top 10 backcourt rankings, Gonzaga came in at no. 5, and Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. make up “the West’s best starting backcourt”, according to Lindy’s.
  • A Women’s Top 25 was listed, and the Lady Zags came in at no. 15.
  • Lindy’s WCC Pre-Season Standings: 1. Gonzaga, 2. BYU, 3. Saint Mary’s, 4. San Francisco, 5. San Diego, 6. Pacific, 7. LMU, 8. Portland, 9. Santa Clara, 10. Pepperdine.
  • Lindy’s WCC All-conference teams- 1st Team: G Kevin Pangos, G Anthony Ireland, G Tyler Haws, F Cole Dickerson, F Sam Dower – 2nd Team: G Stephen Holt, G Johnny Dee, G Gary Bell Jr., C Brad Waldow, C Przemek Karnowski – 3rd Team: G Kyle Collinsworth, G Cody Doolin, G Matt Carlino, F Ryan Nicholas, F Stacy Davis.
  • Other WCC Awards from Lindy’s- Player of the Year: Tyler Haws, BYU – Newcomer of the Year: Gerard Coleman, Gonzaga – Top Shooter: Nikolas Skouen, Pepperdine – Top rebounder: Cole Dickerson, USF – Top Defender: Gary Bell Jr., Gonzaga – Top Playmaker: Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga – Most Versatile: Stephen Holt, SMC – Top NBA Prospect:  Tyler Haws: BYU – Most Entertaining: Christopher Anderson, San Diego.
  • The 2013 BYU recruiting class was named the best in the WCC by Lindy’s.
  • Saint Mary’s freshman forward is considered the freshman that will have the most impact.
  • BYU’s Eric Mika is expected by Lindy’s to be the WCC’s best freshman rebounder.
  • Pepperdine forward Lamond Murray Jr. is Lindy’s freshman that will catch you by surprise.
  • BYU’s Nick Emery and Eric Mika are the two players that are expected to be the best NBA prospects.
  • BYU’s 2013 recruiting class comes in as the 13th best in the nation.
  • In the Top incoming freshmen, BYU’s Eric Mika comes in at no. 48.
  • Gonzaga commit Josh Perkins was no. 57 in the class of 2014 rankings and BYU commit T.J. Haws is no. 85.
  • Saint Mary’s Kerry Carter (formerly of Citrus College) is the 51st ranked JuCo transfer, USF’s Kruize Pinkins (formerly of Chipola College) is no. 57, and BYU’s Skylar Halford (formerly of Salt Lake CC) comes in at no. 74.

Overview:

It was certainly a little too Gonzaga-centric, but when the magazine got more conference specific, they did a solid job of covering the entire conference. There are some things I disagree on, but they did a good job of previewing the WCC.

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