By Jeff Faraudo
#WCChoops Columnist | ARCHIVES
2020 WCC HALL OF HONOR PROFILES
 
This was the season the West Coast Conference might have won its first NCAA men’s basketball championship since Bill Russell was terrorizing college teams with a defensive ferocity no one had ever seen.
 
It was 64 years ago, back in 1956, when Russell and USF completed their run of back-to-back national titles.
 
The 2019-20 campaign was a much more wide-open national landscape than in Russell’s era, when the Dons dominated with a two-year record of 57-1. Against the current backdrop, second-ranked Gonzaga looked every bit capable of adding to the WCC’s postseason legacy with its own title. Yes, Kansas and Dayton and Duke and others would have put up a fight, but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the NCAA tournament, meaning we will never know.
 
So a season that was almost certain to land three WCC teams in the NCAA field — with BYU and Saint Mary’s well-positioned to join the Zags — ends in a very unsatisfying fashion. 
 
Before we close the book on 2019-20, it’s time to hand out some awards, and provide a quick summary of this season and a look ahead for each WCC team. Note: These are my awards, not to be confused with those voted upon by the coaches, although in many cases we concede they got it right. Enjoy.
 
ALL-WCC FIRST TEAM: Filip Petrusev, Gonzaga; Yoeli Childs, BYU; Jordan Ford, Saint Mary’s; Jahlil Tripp, Pacific; Colbey Ross, Pepperdine.
 
ALL-WCC SECOND TEAM: Corey Kispert, Gonzaga; Kameron Edwards, Pepperdine; TJ Haws, BYU; Malik Fitts, Saint Mary’s; Charles Minlend, USF.
 
ALL-UNDERRATED: Ryan Woolridge & Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga; Eli Scott, Loyola Marymount; Jimbo Lull & Jamaree Bouyea, USF; Josip Vrankic, Santa Clara.
 
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Filip Petrusev — The most productive player on the best team. The Associated Press named him to its All-America third team. Compelling arguments.
 
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Drew Timme, Gonzaga — BYU’s Jake Toolson won this award from the coaches and he had a great season. But he was returning to the school where he began his college career. Thus, not really a newcomer, right? Timme came from high school in Texas. This was all truly new to him, and he was terrific.
 
MOST ENTERTAINING PLAYER: Tie between Jordan Ford and Colbey Ross — anyone who saw them combine for 85 points in their WCC quarterfinal matchup understands this call.
 
COACH OF THE YEAR: This award could go to Mark Few virtually every season, and he did one of his best coaching job this year by sculpting another national powerhouse from a roster that returned just one starter. But we’re going with Pacific’s Damon Stoudamire, whose Tigers won 23 games to equal their highest total for a season in 14 years.
 
RETURNING PLAYER WHO WILL BLOSSOM: Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi was very good this season, but he has a chance to be special. Second choice: Keli Leaupepe, Loyola Marymount.
 
GAME OF THE YEAR: Pacific beats Saint Mary’s 107-99 in four overtimes in Stockton. Jahlil Tripp posts 39 points and 11 rebounds in 52 minutes to lead the Tigers and tireless Jordan Ford of the Gaels scores 36 points while on the floor for 58 minutes of 60 minutes. Close second: The Gaels’ 88-81 double-overtime win over Pepperdine in the WCC quarterfinals.
 
And now, a team-by-team review of this season and peek forward (arranged in order of finish this season): 


 
GONZAGA
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 31-2 overall, 15-1/1st in WCC
 
Season summary: The Zags didn’t skip a beat after losing four first-team All-WCC players from the season before. They were unbeaten at home, ranked as high as No. 1 in the AP Top-25 and overpowered most opponents with a big and skilled frontcourt. They beat Saint Mary’s 84-66 in the WCC tournament championship game to avenge a loss in the same setting last season and to secure the league’s automatic bid to an NCAA tournament that would never be played.
 
Stat that matters: The Zags have won 39 consecutive home games — the longest active streak in the nation — since a 74-71 loss to Saint Mary’s on Jan. 18, 2018. By the time Gonzaga is tested again at the McCarthey Center, the unbeaten streak is likely to have exceeded 1,000 days.
 
Top returning players: The big question is whether WCC Player of the Year Filip Petrusev (17.5 points, 7.9 rebounds) returns for his junior season. The coronavirus is impacting pre-NBA draft activities and Petrusev has not indicated whether he will test the draft. All-WCC pick Corey Kispert (13.9 points, 4.0 rebounds) is expected back for his senior campaign, along with WCC tournament MVP Joel Ayayi (10.6 points, 6.3 rebounds) and super-sixth man, freshman forward Drew Timme (9.8 points, 5.4 rebounds). Gonzaga also will welcome back freshman forward Anton Watson (4.9 points, 3.1 rebounds), who missed the second half of the season due to a shoulder injury.
 
Key losses: Departing are popular four-year star forward Killian Tillie (13.6 points. 5.0 rebounds), along with productive graduate transfers Ryan Woolridge (10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists) and Admon Gilder (10.7 points).
 
What to expect next season: Gonzaga will be loaded again, as good if not better than this season, if that’s possible. What Petrusev decides will be significant, obviously. But besides their returnees, the Zags will welcome 6-10, 260-pound Oumar Ballo, a top recruit last season from Mali who sat out for academic reasons. The three-man incoming recruiting class is the program’s best ever (No. 7 nationally, per ESPN), featuring Jalen Suggs, a five-star combo guard from Minneapolis. The Zags aren’t going anywhere.
 
BYU
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 24-8, 13-3/2nd
 
Season summary: The Cougars, in their first season under coach Mark Pope, overcame the absence of star senior Yoeli Childs for two stints totaling 13 games to power their way to second place in the WCC. BYU was 16-3 when playing with a full deck. The Cougars handed Gonzaga its lone conference defeat, 91-78, in front of 18,987 fans at the Marriott Center. 
 
Stat that matters: The Cougars led the WCC in both assists per game (17.4) and 3-point field goals per game (10.4), indicative of a team that found the open man and converted the shot.
 
Top returning players: Guard Alex Barcello (9.0 points) is the only returnee among the Cougars’ top five scorers. Sophomore forward Kolby Lee, who started 28 games, will get the chance to play a larger role next season. Watch also for guard Connor Harding and forward Gavin Baxter to emerge.
 
Key losses: The Cougars lose more firepower than any team in conference, with the exit of seniors Yoeli Childs (22.2 points, 9.0 rebounds), Jake Toolson (15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists) and TJ Haws (14.0 points, 5.8 assists). 
 
What to expect next season: On the surface it seems inevitable that BYU will take a step back after losing five of its top seven scorers. Pope will need to rebuild with a mix of veterans and two transfers, who sat out this season. Wyatt Lowell, a 6-10 forward and the 2019 Freshman of the Year in the Western Athletic Conference, and Richard Harward, a 6-11 junior center, both played for Pope at Utah Valley. Among five newcomers, who have either signed or are expected to, junior college wings Spencer Johnson and Gideon George likely will have the greatest immediate impact.
 
SAINT MARY’S
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 26-8, 11-5/tied 3rd
 
Season summary: The Gaels played a beefed-up non-conference schedule, and emerged nicely, with wins vs. Wisconsin and Utah State and a 40-point victory over Arizona State in Phoenix. They took an early hit in the WCC with the four-overtime loss at Pacific, but split with BYU and were a virtual lock to land an NCAA bid after reaching the WCC tournament championship game.
 
Stat that matters: The Gaels wound up in the top three in the WCC standings for the 16th time in 17 seasons.
 
Top returning players: Center Matthias Tass (6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks in 14 games), who missed the second half of this season with a knee injury, should be cleared for basketball by the start of classes. Tommy Kuhse (5.9 points, 3.8 assists) likely becomes the full-time point guard.
 
Key losses: The Gaels’ roster is taking a big hit. It starts with the departure of two-time All-WCC guard Jordan Ford, who led the conference in scoring (21.9) and minutes (38.0) and was second in accuracy on free-throws (83.6 percent) and 3-pointers (41.1 percent). Also departing is fellow senior Tanner Krebs (9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds). News emerged this week that junior forward Malik Fitts, who was fifth in the WCC in scoring (16.5) and sixth in rebounding (7.1), has declared for the NBA draft. Doesn’t sound like he’s merely testing the waters. His Twitter announcement sound decisive and final. Also exiting is senior-to-be 7-foot-1 center Jock Perry (3.3 points), who has entered the transfer portal.
 
What to expect next season: The Gaels will look different than the past two seasons, when they built the offense around the singular talents of Ford, an elite penetrator and perimeter shooter. This Saint Mary’s team may look closer to Randy Bennett’s usual squads, with more passing and less reliance on one or two scorers. Sophomore Dan Fotu (6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds) and freshmen Alex Ducas (3.6 points) and Kyle Bowen (1.7 points) all will see expanded roles at the forward spots. Among newcomers is 6-foot-5 combo guard Jabe Mullins, recently named the Washington state high school player of the year by the Seattle Times. The Gaels have a lot of promising young players, but their established offensive firepower is gone.
 
PACIFIC
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 23-10, 11-5/tied 3rd
 
Season summary: Guided by WCC Coach of the Year Damon Stoudamire and fueled by All-WCC guard Jahlil Tripp, Pacific had its best season since landing its most recent NCAA tournament bid in 2013. The Tigers raced through a 12-3 non-conference schedule before beating Pepperdine and Saint Mary’s to open WCC play. They lost four of their next five, but won eight of their final nine regular-season games before falling to USF in the quarterfinals of the WCC tournament.
 
Stat that matters: The Tigers led the WCC in scoring defense, allowing just 64.5 points per game. They gave up 60 points or fewer 15 times.
 
Top returning players: Six of the team’s top eight scorers will be back, including starters Justin Moore (8.1 points), Amari McCray (6.4 points, 4.2 rebounds) and Daniss Jenkins (6.2 points). Stoudamire expects sophomore forward Jahbril Price-Noel (5.7 points) to make  jump. Freshman Pierre Cockrell II (4.2 points, 3.2 assists) also could take on a larger role.
 
Key losses: Tripp will be impossible to replace. The Tigers’ leading scorer (16.2) and the WCC’s leading rebounder (8.9) was the centerpiece of Pacific’s offensive attack and a ferocious defender. Also gone is senior guard Gary Chivichyan.
 
What to expect next season: The Tigers will have to share the scoring load, so much off which Tripp shouldered this season. They hope to get a boost from redshirt freshman Jonathan Salazar, a 6-6 forward from Panama who sat out this season while rehabbing an Achilles injury. Stoudamire will be challenged to keep Pacific in the league’s upper echelon, but he has enough young players who gained experience on a successful team to try to reconstruct another winner.
 
USF
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 22-12, 9-7/5th
 
Season summary: First-year coach Todd Golden, replacing former boss Kyle Smith, created a smooth transition by leading the Dons to a 7-0 start. USF stubbed its toe with an early WCC road loss to Portland, but posted a road win at Pacific and finished strong with three straight victories entering the WCC tournament, where it won twice before losing to Gonzaga in the semifinals.
 
Stat that matters: The Dons attempted 899 shots from beyond the 3-point arc this season — more than any team in the WCC. When they made at least 10 of them in a game, they were 12-0. They were 10-12 in all other games.
 
Top returning players: The Dons retain much of their backcourt and their quickness with the expected return of leading scorer Charles Minlend (14.4 points, 4.7 rebounds), starting point guard Jamaree Bouyea (12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals), and his backup, Khalil Shabazz (10.5 points, 1.6 steals).  
 
Key losses: USF will move on without a pair of starters — 7-footer Jimbo Lull (11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds) and wing Jordan Ratinho (8.9 points) — along with valuable reserve Remu Raitanen (5.1 points). Lull, one of the WCC’s most improved players, will be toughest to replace.
 
What to expect next season: The Dons should continue to compete for an upper-division slot in the WCC, and will again be one of the league’s more athletic teams. But they thrived this season because of their inside-outside balance and range third in the conference in rebounding margin. Maintaining their strength on the boards will be a critical piece going forward.
 
PEPPERDINE
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 16-16, 8-8/6th
 
Season summary: The Waves often saved their best performances for their toughest opponents, but never could quite get over the top. They were 7-7 in non-conference play, but gave good showings in a 91-84 loss at USC and a 93-91 defeat to Arizona at the Wooden Legacy. In early WCC play, they battled well in a 75-70 loss at Gonzaga. And they kept fans entertained at Orleans Arena in their 88-81 double-overtime loss to Saint Mary’s in the WCC tournament quarterfinals. Including the conference tournament, Pepperdine wound up 9-0 against teams with losing WCC records but 0-9 against those above .500.
 
Stat that matters: The Waves were the WCC’s most accurate free-throw shooting team, converting 79.2 percent, and featured three of the league’s five best foul shooters: Colbey Ross (85.4 percent), Kessler Edwards (80.3) and Kameron Edwards (73.9).
 
Top returning players: Pepperdine returns two proven dynamic players in senior-to-be point guard Colbey Ross, who led the WCC in assists (7.2) and free-throw accuracy (85.4 percent) and was second in scoring (20.5) and minutes (37.7), and rising sophomore Kessler Edwards (13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds), the WCC leader in blocked shots (1.88).
 
Key losses: The Waves bid farewell to just one player of significance, but they will miss senior forward Kameron Edwards (16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds), who scored 1,346 points in his Pepperdine career.
 
What to expect next season: With Ross controlling the throttle, the Waves will continue to play at a fast tempo. Guards Skylar Chavez (10.0 points) and freshman Sedrick Altman (5.5 points) should step up their production, and the return of 6-9, 230-pounder Jan Zidek (5.5 points in 15 games) will be critical. Zidek missed the second half of the season with a hand injury. Guard Jade Smith, a strong defender, is expected to seek a medical redshirt after missing all but eight games due to a knee injury, and guard Majok Deng will be ready to contribute after redshirting as a freshman this season.
 
 
SANTA CLARA
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 20-13, 6-10/7th
 
Season summary: Coach Herb Sendek’s squad brought the program its first 20-win season since 2013, but after a 14-2 start to the season the Broncos lost their magic. They were just 6-11 the rest of the way, a drop-off that seemed to coincide with a leg injury to 6-foot-11 sophomore forward Willie Caruso, who missed the first 10 WCC games and played just 31 minutes in conference play. The Broncos claimed wins over Saint Mary’s and Pacific, but struggled to find consistency in January and February.
 
Stat that matters: The Broncos won a school-record 15 straight home games to open the season, stretching their overall home win streak to 17 games, the third-longest streak in program history. 
 
Top returning players: The Broncos hope that Caruso, who averaged 12.1 points and 5.6 rebounds before his injury, returns to form. There is plenty of other experience and firepower coming back, including forward Josip Vrankic (12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds), forward DJ Mitchell (10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds), and forward Keyshawn Justice (9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds).
 
Key losses: The Broncos had no seniors, but redshirt junior guard Tahj Eaddy, who averaged 15.0 points a year ago, and sophomore guard Trey Wertz (11.9 points, 3.9 assists) both have entered the transfer portal.
 
What to expect next season: The Broncos seemed positioned to make a move into the upper division of the WCC with most of their roster expected back. The departure of Wertz and Eaddy could create an issue in the backcourt. Two young Canadian players could blossom. Center Jaden Bediako, a 6-10, 240-pounder, averaged 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds as a freshman this season and posted six double-digit scoring games beginning Feb. 1. Freshman guard Miguel Tomley, who played in the same British Columbia high school league as SCU legend Steve Nash, is expected to provide much-needed perimeter shooting after sitting out this season with a knee injury.
 
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 11-21, 4-12/8th
 
Season summary: The Lions battled through an uneven season, only once winning as many as two straight games. Three of their four WCC victories came at the expense of San Diego and Portland, who occupied the league’s two bottom spots. The Lions made a coaching change after the season, saying goodbye to Mike Dunlap after six seasons and welcoming Stan Johnson, a long-time veteran assistant at Marquette, Arizona State, Drake, Utah and Cal State Northridge.
 
Stat that matters: The Lions ranked third in the WCC in scoring defense (67.8 points) but last in offense (64.3). 
 
Top returning players: The Lions get one more season from senior forward Eli Scott (15.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists), who became one of the WCC’s most versatile players this season and posted the school’s first-ever triple-double. Freshman forward Keli Leaupepe (9.0 points, 3.90 rebounds) averaged 14.1 points over the final 13 games and had an eye-opening 23-point, 10-rebound performance in a WCC tournament win over San Diego. Also eligible to return are forwards Jordan Bell (7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds) and Ivan Alipiev (8.1 points, 3.3 rebounds), although Bell has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.
 
Key losses: The only departing senior is guard Erik Johansson (6.3 points), who played 118 games in four seasons for the Lions.
 
What to expect next season: Johnson, who most recently served as assistant head coach for a Marquette program that played in the 2018 and ’19 NCAA tournaments, still was in Milwaukee on Monday due to constraints of the COVID-19 threat. He is attempting to talk on the phone with each of his new players on a daily basis until he can get on campus. “You've worked your whole life to get here,” he tells himself. “You have a little adversity: embrace it and deal with it.”  Johnson seemingly inherits a solid hand. The Lions are expected to get much-needed help at the guard positions from Dameane Douglas and Joe Quintana, both of whom missed all of this season due to ankle and knee injuries, respectively. Douglas, a 6-7 wing, averaged 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in 2018-19 to earn WCC All-Freshman honors, while Quintana averaged 7.5 points that same season. “There is enough here for us to get off to a good start if we all come back,” Johnson said in a phone interview. “I think they’re actually better than they think.” 
 
SAN DIEGO
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 9-23, 2-14/9th
 
Season summary: The Toreros, starting over after losing four starters from 2018-19, maneuvered through a 7-8 non-conference schedule. But they managed only two victories over last-place Portland once WCC play began. USD lost to Loyola Marymount in the opening round of the WCC tournament.
 
Stat that matters: With just one senior departing this spring, the Toreros expect to return 90.5 percent of their scoring and 87.6 percent of their rebounding.
 
Top returning players: USD returns its top six scorers, led by guards Braun Hartfield (13.9 points, 5.3 rebounds) and Joey Calcaterra (11.3 points). Hartfield, a transfer from Youngstown State, scored double figures 24 times this season to earn All-WCC honorable mention. Calcaterra hit double digits 19 times.
 
Key losses: The Toreros’ only departing senior is forward Alex Floresca (6.2 points, 4.1 rebounds), who started all 32 games this season. Freshman guard Noel Coleman of Belgium reportedly entered the transfer portal.
 
What to expect next season: The Toreros gained valuable experience this season, but must make improvements everywhere. They ranked second-to-last in the conference in scoring, scoring defense and rebounding margin. USD needs contributions up front from returnee Yauhen Massalski, a 6-10, 245-pounder who was limited by injuries this seasaon, and Vladimir Pinchuk, a 6-11 native of Germany, who will be eligible after sitting out as a transfer from New Mexico. Coach Sam Scholl also anticipates leaps from freshman guard Marion Humphrey (6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists) and sophomore shooting guard Finn Sullivan (7.6 points).
 
 
PORTLAND
 
2019-20 Record/finish: 9-23, 1-15/10th
 
Season summary: The Pilots started strong, winning six of their first seven games and eight of their first 11. But they took a hard turn with a loss to Jackson State on Dec. 19 and won just once more all season, an 11-point home victory over San Francisco on Jan. 4.
 
Stat that matters: During their 15-game losing streak to end the season, the Pilots outrebounded their opponent just twice.
 
Top returning players: Six players who averaged at least 7.1 points could return, led by senior-to-be guard JoJo Walker, the team’s No. 2 scorer at 11.6 points per game who scored 15 points or more 10 times. Also due to return at forward Tahirou Diabate (9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds) and guard Malcolm Porter (9.5 points).
 
Key losses: The Pilots’ only significant scheduled departure is guard and leading scorer Isaiah White (12.2 points), a grad transfer from Maine who had 18 double-digit scoring games, including the final six of the season.
 
What to expect next season: Ten of the team’s top 11 scorers are eligible to return, so the Pilots should bring greater experience to game nights. This team’s biggest challenge is simply learning how to get over the hump to win games. Six of the Pilots’ defeats were by single digits and by merely reversing those outcomes they would have been close to .500. But the climb is steep.