There is great buzz in the West Coast Conference about the arrival of Oregon State and Washington State as two-year affiliate members. But Gonzaga coach Mark Few continues to see plenty of challenges among the league’s familiar faces.
 
“Kind of lost, it seems like we always underestimate the strength of some of these WCC teams. They’re tough outs,” Few said. “Saint Mary’s has certainly been a tough out . . . Santa Clara finally got us last year. Herb (Sendek’s) done a really good job of recruiting and evaluating guys. San Francisco’s been tough. Even LMU has really stepped it up under Stan (Johnson).”
 
The Zags, ranked No. 6 in the preseason AP Top-25, are the favorites to win the WCC. They return four starters and added two big-time transfers. But it’s not lost on them that Saint Mary’s captured both the regular-season title and the conference tournament crown a year ago.
 
“We definitely understand that they beat us twice last year,” Graham Ike said. “We’re just looking to bounce back and take every game head on.”
 
The Gaels, picked second in the league by the coaches, were 15-1 in WCC play and won the Conference tournament for the fourth time since 2010 last season — the only WCC team to interrupt Gonzaga’s dominance.
 
But Saint Mary’s began last season 3-5 before finding a rhythm. The Gaels went 18-1 after Christmas through the WCC Basketball Championship.
 
“It says a lot about how much progress we made from the beginning of the year when we started slow to the end of the year when we were playing really good,” said point guard Augustas Marciulionis, the WCC Player of the Year. “We just kept getting better. Beating Gonzaga two times was proof we made big jumps.”
 
Here’s our preview of the WCC season, with teams ranked in order of the preseason coaches poll:

1. GONZAGA
2023-24: 14-2/2nd in WCC; 27-8 overall
Coach: Mark Few (716-143 in 26th season)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2024 (lost 80-68 to Purdue in the Sweet 16)
Top returning players: The Zags are loaded with experience. Senior forward Graham Ike (16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds), senior point guard Ryan Nembhard (12.6 points, 6.9 assists), senior guard Nolan Hickman (14.0 points, 41 percent 3-point) and senior forward Ben Gregg (9.0 points, 5.7 rebounds) combined for 124 starts last season. Ike, Nembhard and Hickman all were named to the preseason All-WCC team, along with newcomer Michael Ajayi. Ike was included on the NABC and Naismith Player of the Year watch lists. Sophomore forward Braden Huff (9.3 points) was a consistent contributor off the bench.
Top newcomers: The Zags brought in two significant Division I transfers, including one they know from last season. Senior guard and Pepperdine transfer Michael Ajayi (17.2 points, 9.9 rebounds) and had a 14-14 double-double in one of the Zags’ games vs. the Waves. Arkansas transfer Khalif Battle (14.8 points) is a defensive backcourt dynamo and has scored 1,343 career points in stops at Butler, Temple and Arkansas.
Key non-conference games: Even by the Zags’ standards, this is a ferocious pre-conference gauntlet, including five preseason AP Top-25 foes. The No. 6 Zags open Monday vs. No. 8 Baylor at the Spokane Arena. They face Arizona State (Nov. 10) on their home floor and visit San Diego State (Nov. 18). On Thanksgiving weekend, Gonzaga will test itself at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, where West Virginia (Nov. 27) awaits in the first round with Indiana or Louisville looming the next day. The opposite side of the bracket includes No. 10 Arizona and Oklahoma. The Zags take on No. 23 Kentucky (Dec. 7) in the Battle in Seattle, square off vs. two-time defending national champion No. 3 UConn (Dec. 14) at Madison Square Garden and wrap up non-conference play against No. 22 UCLA (Dec. 28) at the L.A Clippers’ Intuit Dome at Inglewood.
What matters: The Zags play a challenging schedule appropriate given their experience, talent and goals. Mark Few’s team is deeper than the past couple seasons and can attack teams in a variety of ways. Ajayi and Battle bring additional explosiveness. The Zags have legitimate Final Four aspirations.
Quote: “Yeah, it ended up getting kind of crazy. First and foremost, we schedule to try to be a No. 1 (NCAA Tournament) seed. At this point, with where this team is at and why these players came to Gonzaga, they want to play these kind of games. And where I’m at, at this point in my career, quite frankly, I’d rather play those kind of games than some of the other ones.” — Coach Mark Few on why he arranges such a tough non-conference schedule
 
2. SAINT MARY’S
2023-24: 15-1/1st in WCC; 26-8 overall; won WCC Basketball Championship
Coach: Randy Bennett (533-216 in 24th season)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2024 (lost 75-66 to Grand Canyon in the first round)
Top returning players: The Gaels lost four key players, including two-time All-WCC guard Aidan Mahaney. But nine players return, led by senior PG Augustas Marciulionis (12.4 points, 5.3 assists), who was voted the WCC’s Player of the Year last season. He was joined on the All-WCC first team by senior center Mitchell Saxen (11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks). Also back is senior forward Lake Barrett (5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds). Sophomore guard Jordan Ross figures to see a bigger role.
Top newcomers: Arizona transfer forward Paulius Muraskas (2.7 points), a 6-foot-8, 235-pound sophomore from Lithuania, is expected to play a significant role. Sophomore forward Ashton Hardaway (2.3 points), the son of former NBA star Penny Hardaway, is a transfer from Memphis. Oakland-born freshman guard Mikey Lewis, a four-star prospect from Prolific Prep, has shown promise in early workouts.
Key non-conference games: The Gaels trek to Sioux Falls, SD to face 2024 NCAA tournament entry Nebraska (Nov. 17) and play at the Acrisure Classic in Palm Springs against USC (Nov. 28) and either Arizona State or returning NCAA squad New Mexico the next day. SMC is back on the road to face Utah (Dec. 7) and squares off vs. another ’24 NCAA team, Boise State (Dec. 14), in a semi-neutral site game at Idaho Falls. The Gaels get a home game vs. reigning Mountain West champion and NCAA participant Utah State (Dec. 22) in their final pre-conference test.
What matters: The Gaels have holes to fill but there is lots of talent on the roster, starting at the two most important positions. Point guard Marciulionis and center Saxen have played 224 games for the Gaels and provide toughness and leadership. The Gaels have won at least 25 games in 14 of the past 20 seasons, and they will continue to compete at the top of the WCC.
Quote: “We know last year doesn’t mean anything now. We’re not trying to get good so we can beat Gonzaga — we’re trying to get good so we can be as good as we can be. It’s fun to have that challenge to look forward to, for sure.” — Center Mitchell Saxen on beating Gonzaga twice last season
 
 
3. SANTA CLARA
2023-24: 10-6, 4th in WCC; 20-13 overall
Coach: Herb Sendek (140-107 in 9th season at Santa Clara; 553-402 in 31st season overall)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 1996 (lost 76-51 to Kansas in the second round)
Top returning players: Junior guard Adama-Alpha Bal (14.4 points) earned first-team All-WCC honors in his first year with the program. The Broncos have size with 6-10 senior forward Johnny O’Neill (11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds) and 7-foot junior center Christoph Tilly (9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds).
Top newcomers: Senior guard Carlos Stewart is not exactly a newcomer, having earned All-WCC honors two seasons ago when he averaged 15.2 points for the Broncos. He took a one-year detour to play for home-state Arkansas (4.7 points in 13 games before knee injury) but he’s back and fully healthy. Allen Graves, a 6-9 forward and the 2024 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year, is the only freshman on the roster.
Key non-conference games: The Broncos dive right into Monday when they face Saint Louis at the Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase at Sioux Falls, SD. They play Arizona State (Nov. 8) at the Las Vegas Hoopfest, duel Missouri Valley Conference favorite Bradley (Dec. 14) at Henderson, Nev.,  and trek to Reno to face 26-game winner and 2024 NCAA participant Nevada (Nov. 16). The Broncos stay closer to home with a game at Stanford (Nov. 23). Santa Clara will spend Thanksgiving weekend at Palm Springs, taking on TCU (Nov. 28) at the Acrisure Invitational before playing either returning NCAA entry Colorado State of Washington a day later.
What matters: With five of their top six scorers back from a year ago, the Broncos have the depth and talent to challenge the WCC’s best. They beat Gonzaga last season for the first time for the first time in 13 seasons and they bring the confidence that created into this season. “It was a big moment for the program,” said Bal, who scored the winning basket against the Zags. “A lot of the wins we had last year gave us confidence. Now we know what we’re capable of and we just have to apply it.”
Quote: “I really love this team. We have a lot of stability and I think that’s an advantage. But even with perfect continuity, you’re never the same team. Each of these guys has continued to evolve and improve.” — Coach Herb Sendek
 
4. SAN FRANCISCO
2023-24: 11-5/3rd in WCC; 23-11 overall
Coach: Chris Gerlufsen (43-25 in 3rd season; 51-30 overall in 4th season, including as acting coach at Hawaii in 2019-20)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2022 (lost 92-87 in overtime to Murray State in the first round)
Top returning players: The Dons return a potent backcourt threesome, led by All-WCC senior Marcus Williams (14.0 points), who had six 20-point performances as the No. 2 option behind Jonathan Mogbo, who translated one big season at USF into an NBA opportunity. Senior Malik Thomas (12.4 points) and WCC Freshman of the Year Ryan Beasley (7.6 points) also are back at guard along with senior forward Ndewedo Newbury (9.4 points).
Top newcomers: The Dons added an athletic 7-footer in UTSA grad transfer Carlton Linguard (9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds), who previously spent two seasons at Kansas State. “He’s going to shock the world, kind of like Jonathan Mogbo,” Williams said. “He’s a 7-foot big man who can shoot and do everything we ask him to do.” The Dons added backcourt depth with the arrival of Isa Silva, formerly of Long Beach State and Stanford.
Key non-conference games: The Dons host 2024 NCAA tournament participant Boise State (Nov. 9) and are home to play 22-game winner Memphis (Nov. 21). USF faces Clemson (Nov. 25) at Daytona Beach, Florida, then takes on either Penn State or Fordham a day later. The Dons visit Missouri Valley Conference favorite Bradley (Dec. 18).
What matters: USF has won at least 20 games in seven of the past eight seasons after doing so just twice in the previous 31 years. There is every reason to believe the Dons will continue on that path. They are quick and athletic and have developed a stronger home-court atmosphere.
Quote: “We know each other’s ins and outs on both sides of the floor. We’re going to be one of the best backcourts, not only in the conference but in the country. We’re going to make some real noise, just the way we play, the freedom he allows us to play with.” — Senior Marcus Williams on the Dons’ three-guard alignment
 
5. WASHINGTON STATE
2023-24: 14-6/2nd in Pac-12; 25-10 overall
Coach: David Riley (1st season at WSU; 62-38 in 4th season overall)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2024 (lost 67-56 to Iowa State in second round)
Top returning players: The only returning player who scored a point last year, sophomore guard Isaiah Watts (3.7 points, 38 percent 3-point) had a solid rookie season, including an 18-point performance against USC.
Top newcomers: Four players followed David Riley from Eastern Washington to WSU, led by senior forward Cedric Coward (5.4 points, 6.7 rebounds), who was named to the preseason All-WCC team. Also on board are 6-10 senior forward Ethan Price (12.2 points, 4.0 rebounds), redshirt sophomore forward LeJuan Watts (9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds) and senior forward Dane Erkstrup (10.8 points). All told, Riley brought in eight transfers and four freshmen.
Key non-conference games: The Cougars will christen the Riley coaching era on Monday at home against Portland State. They also get a home game against Missouri Valley Conference favorite Bradley (Nov. 8) before hitting the road to play Iowa (Nov. 15) at the Quad City Hoops Showdown at Moline, Ill. WSU will spend pre-Thanksgiving at Palm Desert, Calif., to play in the Acrisure Holiday Invitational against Fresno State (Nov. 26) and either SMU or Cal Baptist the next day. They play a pair of returning NCAA entries from the Mountain West Conference in back-to-back games, at Nevada (Dec. 2) and at home vs. Boise State (Dec. 7). The Cougars travel cross-state to Seattle to renew an old rivalry against Washington (Dec. 18).
What matters: Kyle Smith parlayed WSU’s first NCAA tournament bid in 16 years into a coaching move to Stanford, but Riley moves into his office, familiar with the landscape. He won 44 games the past two seasons just 67 miles away at Eastern Washington and brought with him most of his best players. His roster includes 12 new players so there is some assembly required but the EWU core should provide some stability.
Quote: “I’ve just been so impressed with what he did at Eastern. Incredibly impressed. They really played a fun and interesting style last year and I assume he’ll have the same kind of impact at Washington State. I thought it was a great hire.” — Gonzaga coach Mark Few on new Cougars coach David Riley
 
6. LMU
2023-24: 5-11/tied 6th in WCC; 12-19 overall
Coach: Stan Johnson (55-58 in 5th season)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 1990 (lost 131-101 to UNLV in the regional final)
Top returning players: Graduate forward Alex Merkviladze (12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds) started 30 games a year ago and was an honorable mention All-WCC pick. Just 68 points shy of 1,000 for his career, Merkviladze had six double-doubles last season. Senior guard Will Johnston (11.1 points, 2.7 assists) started every game last season. The Lions have high hopes for Rick Issanza, a 7-1, 245-pound graduate center, who battled injury through much of last season.
Top newcomers: The Lions added two productive transfers, including former Pepperdine star and preseason All-WCC selection Jevon Porter (16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds). Junior guard Myron Amey (15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists at San Jose State) scored 30 points against Boise State and was an All-Mountain West honorable mention pick.
Key non-conference games: The Lions will play twice at Cancun, Mexico, facing Belmont (Nov. 26) the day before taking on either Wyoming or Tulane. They face a pair of returning NCAA teams from the Mountain West, squaring off at Colorado State (Dec. 4), then at home vs. Nevada (Dec. 7).
What matters: The Lions are looking to bounce back this season after winning 19 games in 2022-23. Injuries left the Lions severely shorthanded last season, including a lengthy stretch where they had just six healthy scholarship players. Porter, a dynamic 6-foot-11 junior, averaged 19.1 points over a 12-game stretch late last season and should become one of the WCC’s better players. Johnson likes how his team is coming together. “Chemistry for this early, I like where it’s at,” he said. “Every day that we’ve been together we’ve seen our connection grow.”
Quote: “He’s not only a great recruiter, great coach, I don’t know if I’ve been around a person who makes you want to be a better person every day. He’s impacted our program tremendously.” — Coach Stan Johnson on hiring former long-time head coach Lorenzo Romar to his staff
 
7. OREGON STATE
2023-24: 5-15/last in Pac-12; 13-19 overall
Coach: Wayne Tinkle (140-177 in 11th season at OSU; 298-268 in 19th season overall)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2021 (lost 67-61 to Houston in Elite 8)
Top returning players: Michael Rataj (8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds), a 6-9 junior forward from Germany, is the only player back from OSU’s’ top six scorers.
Top newcomers: Senior guard Damarco Minor (15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds at SIU-Edwardsville) was a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference pick last season. He scored 31 points in a game among seven outings of 20 or more. Southern Utah forward Parsa Fallah (13.2 points, 6.0 rebounds) is a 6-9, 250-pounder from Iran who converted 63 percent of his 2-point attempts last season.
Key non-conference games: The Beavers host 20-game winner Weber State (Nov. 8) and long-time former Pac-12 rival Oregon (Nov. 21). OSU travels to Honolulu for three games at the Diamond Head Classic, starting with Charleston (Dec. 22).
What matters: Coach Wayne Tinkle, who had the Beavers on the doorstep of the Final Four just four seasons ago, will try to mesh nine new players, including five transfers. The veteran newcomers are most likely to have an early impact but getting everyone on the same page on game nights is not always a straight line.
Quote: “I’m very fluent in, not quite German yet, but I can speak some Swedish, some French now. Obviously, I can speak Spanish because I played in Spain. A big part of our program is we say don’t alienate one another because of your differences, embrace other through those differences.” — Coach Wayne Tinkle on his roster with international players from eight different countries
 
T-8. PORTLAND
2023-24: 5-11/tied 6th in WCC; 12-21 overall
Coach: Shantay Legans (45-55 in 4th season at Portland; 120–104 in 8th season overall)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 1996 (lost 92-58 to Villanova in the first round)
Top returning players: Redshirt senior guard Vukasin Masic (12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 40 percent 3-point), grad guard Chris Austin (6.8 points), redshirt sophomore forward Bol Dengdit (6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds)
Top newcomers: The Pilots have 11 new players, including eight freshmen. Elon transfer guard Max MacKinnon (12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds), a 6-foot-6 Australian, had four games of 20 points or more each of the past two seasons. Center Jermaine Ballisager Webb (7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds), a 7-foot-1 junior from Denmark, had six double-digit scoring games last season when he shot 60 percent from the field.
Key non-conference games: The Pilots play at 2024 NCAA participant Oregon (Nov. 12). They will travel to South Carolina for three games at the Myrtle Beach Invitational, starting with South Florida (Nov. 21).
What matters: Following the exit of five of the team’s top six scorers, Portland’s roster features 12 freshmen and sophomores, so the Pilots are likely to lean on their few veterans. At least to start.
Quote: “I think we’ve got a real feisty team. They’re eager to play, which I’m really excited about. They all have chips on their shoulder, they want to go out and prove something. I think that’s much needed, especially in a league like ours.” — Coach Shantay Legans
 
T-8. SAN DIEGO
2023-24: 7-9/5th in WCC/18-15 overall
Coach: Steve Lavin (29-35 in 3rd season at USD; 266-185 in 15th season overall)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2008 (lost 72-63 to Western Kentucky in the second round)
Top returning players: Senior center Steven Jamerson II (8.1 points, team-high 8.1 rebounds) is the Toreros’ top returning scorer. He shot 61 percent from the field, had six double-doubles and blocked 25 shots. Sophomore guard Dragos Lungu (5.1 points, 2.0 assists) is the only other returnee who averaged more than 4 points.
Top newcomers: San Diego City College guard Kjay Bradley was MVP of his junior college conference and scored 41 points in a game. Graduate guard Kody Clouet scored 17.6 points and shot 43 percent from beyond the arc for Division II Southeastern Oklahoma State. Kean Webb, a 6-11, 230-pound freshman, produced 18 points and 11 rebounds per game as a post-graduate player at Golden State Prep in California.
Key non-conference games: The Toreros play their first seven games at Jenny Craig Pavilion before venturing to Arizona State (Dec. 3) and San Diego State (Dec. 7). USD faces reigning WAC champion, 2024 NCAA participant and soon-to-be WCC rival Grand Canyon (Dec. 28) at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
What matters: The Toreros are coming off their first winning season since 2019 but the top four scorers from that team are gone and coach Steve Lavin will have to fit together new personnel. Even so, Jamerson saw progress he hopes will carry over. “Encouraging,” he said. “We did make strides. We are going in the right direction — we just have to keep pushing forward.”
Quote: “I tell kids this all the time — one day the ball is going to stop. Who is going to be your basketball family if you attended five schools in five years? I’m a good example. I’m now coaching for my former head coach. I’ve got my basketball family. One day these players are going to want to build job opportunities, but if the alumni don’t really know you because you stayed only six months, you’re off on your own.” — USD assistant coach Earl Watson, who played at UCLA under coach Steve Lavin
 
10. PACIFIC
2023-24: 0-16/last in WCC; 6-26 overall
Coach: Dave Smart (1st season at Pacific and as a Division I coach; 591-48 in 19 seasons at Carleton University in Canada)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2013 (lost 78-49 to Miami in the first round)
Top returning players: No one — the Tigers have 15 new players.
Top newcomers: The newcomers include 11 transfers and four high school recruits. Smart has totally rebuilt a roster that went winless in conference play last season. Elijah Fisher, a 6-6 guard and one of four Canadians, averaged 10.2 points last season at DePaul. Elias Ralph, a 6-7 senior forward from the University of Victoria in British Columbia produced 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds for a team that won three straight conference titles. Sophomore 7-footer Jazz Gardner (2.5 points, 2.0 rebounds) played for a Nevada squad that won 26 games.
Key non-conference games: New coach Dave Smart makes his debut at home against Jessup on Monday. The Tigers then travel to Hawaii for the Rainbow Classic, a three-game event where they open against San Jose State (Nov. 8). Pacific faces a potent 1-2 punch with road games against Arkansas (Nov. 18) and Missouri (Nov. 22). The Tigers visit Colorado (Dec. 2) and UNLV (Dec. 14).
What matters: Smart, who spent last season as an assistant coach at Texas Tech, will find out if his Canadian coaching magic translates below the border. He has all new pieces so we should expect the puzzle won’t be assembled overnight. Part of the equation involves Smart convincing his players they can give more effort than they think is possible.
Quote: “Coach has been trying to get us to play harder, especially me. Everybody always told me I had to play harder but I didn’t really know how to. I think I’m getting better at it — I know I still have a long way to go. Coach is show me how to do that.” — Sophomore center Jazz Gardner
 
11. PEPPERDINE
2023-24: 5-11/tied 6th in WCC; 13-20 overall
Coach: Ed Schilling (1st season at Pepperdine; 75-93 overall in 7th season)
Most recent NCAA appearance: 2002 (lost 83-74 to Wake Forest in the first round)
Top returning players: Redshirt senior Boubacar Coulibaly (8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 59 percent FG, 11 games) showed promise with a pair of double-doubles in a small sample size. Coulibaly accounted for all but two points of the Waves’ returning offensive output.
Top newcomers: Junior guard Moe Odum (8.7 points) arrives after spending two seasons at WCC rival Pacific. Wing Javon Cooley (7.5 points), a graduate transfer from Marist, where he started 29 games last season. Guard Zion Bethea (10.7 points at St Francis-Brooklyn in 2022-23) made Pepperdine his fourth school in five seasons.
Key non-conference games: Schilling gets started at home on Wednesday vs. Western Illinois. The Waves have road games vs. UNLV (Nov. 20) and Northwestern (Nov. 23) and will play twice at the Arizona Tip-Off in Tempe, opening against New Mexico State (Nov. 29). 
What matters: Three departed players accounted for 57 percent of the Waves’ scoring last season so there is opportunity for others to step up. Schilling hopes to parlay his experience as an assistant at winning programs including UMass, Memphis, UCLA, Indiana and Grand Canyon into success at his new address along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Quote: “We signed 11 new players on 14 visits in two months. It’s been quite an opportunity to learn these new faces from places all around the world. With the quality of teams in the conference, we’ve got a long, long way to go. But we’re trying to make progress on a daily basis.” — New coach Ed Schilling