Head coach Scott Rueck, whose Oregon State women’s basketball team was picked to win the West Coast Conference title this season, isn’t putting too much stock in the projections. “It’s just a talking point,” he said.
The reality is there is so much roster change with most teams in the conference that no one is quite sure what to think. Defending co-champions Portland and Gonzaga each sustained heavy graduation losses, creating what appears to be greater opportunity to challenge for the crown.
The Beavers, with a solid veteran presence, were the pick of the league’s coaches, but Rueck isn’t counting on anything. “There’s no way to truly know who the best team is right now,” he said. “There’s so much unknown in the league.”
Gonzaga head coach Lisa Fortier agrees. “When I was voting for the all-conference team, there were a lot of players I didn’t know,” she said, echoing comments made by at least a couple of her counterparts. “Every team has seven or eight new players . . . or nine or 10. I think that’s kind of the way things are in college athletics right now.”
Portland head coach Michael Meek agrees that Oregon State deserves to be the preseason favorite. He also sees the potential for chaos in the West Coast Conference race.
“I think talent-wise we all know Oregon State is very good,” Meek said. “Gonzaga is never short on good players and they’re not going to be any different this year. After that, everybody is just so different.”
Here’s a preview of the 12 conference teams (ranked in order of the coaches poll) as an intriguing season gets under way on Monday:
1. OREGON STATE
2024-25: 12-8/4th West Coast Conference; 19-16 overall; won West Coast Conference Championship
Head Coach: Scott Rueck (316-170 in 16th season)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2025 (lost 70-49 to North Carolina in the first round)
Top returning players: Senior G Tiara Bolden (8.1 points) and junior guard Kennedie Shuler (7.9 points) give the Beavers a veteran foundation in the backcourt duo. Both were chosen to the preseason All-West Coast Conference team. Shuler scored the game-winning layup with 0.8 seconds left to beat Gonzaga 63-61 in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Basketball Championship. Guard Ally Schimel (3.4 points) figures to play a larger role after a solid freshman season.
Top newcomers: Jenna Villa, a 6-foot-1 junior wing, started 29 games and averaged 5.6 points last season for Washington State, including 14 points twice in conference play. The Beavers also have high hopes for 6-3 forward Lara Alonso-Basurto, a freshman from Spain, along with Australian guards Katelyn Field and Keira Lindemans.
Key non-conference games: The Beavers host Illinois, which won 22 games, finished in a tie for fifth in the Big Ten and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, on Nov. 14. At the US Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, they take on Vanderbilt on Nov. 27, then either BYU or Virginia Tech on Nov. 29. Then they play a pair of former Pac-12 rivals, Oregon at Eugene on Dec. 3, and Arizona State at Corvallis on Dec. 14.
What matters: The Beavers took a hit early when senior guard and conference tournament MOP Catarina Ferreira, after being voted onto the preseason All-West Coast Conference team, suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. But there is experience and talent on this team that will help compensate for a significant absence.
Quote: “It puts a large target on our back, for sure. You’re going to get everybody’s best shot. I feel like we probably would anyway, but for sure now, That’s a great challenge and I welcome that. It’s certainly the place you want to be. Can we be that team? I hope so.” — OSU head coach Scott Rueck on being the pick of the league’s coaches to win the conference title
2. GONZAGA
2024-25: 17-3/tied 1st West Coast Conference; 24-11 overall
Head Coach: Lisa Fortier (289-74 in 12th season)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2024 (lost 69-47 to Texas in the Sweet 16 round)
Top returning players: Sophomore combo guard Allie Turner (13.4 points, 105 3-point baskets) is a 46-percent shooter from deep whose role will expand this season as the Zags’ lone returning starter. The reigning West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection is expected to help fill a leadership void left by the departure of key veterans, including two-time conference Player of the Year Yvonne Ejim. Senior guard Ines Bettencourt (6.1 points), who began her career at UConn, should also play a larger role. The Zags are eager to see highly touted 6-3 redshirt freshman forward Lauren Whittaker, a native of New Zealand, who missed last season due to knee surgery. Whittaker, who also suffered a knee injury in 2022, is regarded as an elite international prospect.
Top newcomers: Versatile junior guard Zeryhia Aokuso, the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year in 2024, averaged 9.2 points for Saint Mary’s last season before transferring to Gonzaga. She joins Turner on the preseason all-conference team. Also in the mix are a pair of transfer forwards, Sierra Lichte (10.6 points, 6.7 rebounds) from Cal Poly and Taylor Smith (12.9 points, 5.9 rebounds) of Weber State.
Key non-conference games: The Zags play their annual non-conference game vs. Stanford on Nov. 16 at Spokane. They trek to Estero, Florida, to face Indiana on Nov. 28 and either Iowa State or Marquette on Nov. 30 at the Coconut Hoops event. Grand Canyon, 32-3 team a year ago, visits the Zags on Dec. 4 and Arizona State pays a visit on Dec. 16.
What matters: A year after they had five super seniors, the Zags have no one on their roster with more than one year of experience with the team. “That’s the difference for us, and a little bit unusual,” Fortier said.
Quote: “I expect she’s going to approach this year as it’s a new year. That’s the only expectation we have for her. Our goal for her is to evolve into the next iteration of Allie Turner.” — Gonzaga head coach Lisa Fortier on the Zags’ sophomore guard
3. WASHINGTON STATE
2024-25: 14-6/3rd West Coast Conference; 21-14 overall
Head Coach: Kamie Ethridge (116-104 in 8th season at WSU; 199-148 in 12th season as a DI head coach)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2023 (lost 74-63 to Florida Gulf Coast in the first round)
Top returning players: Eli Villa, a junior guard from Milan, Italy, averaged 13.6 points last year to earn second-team all-conference honors. She was voted to the preseason All-West Coast Conference squad this year. Also back is 6-foot-6 junior center Alex Covill (8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds), who led the West Coast Conference with 2.1 blocked shots per game. Ethridge hopes Covill can do more offensively this season and she scored 19 points in an exhibition victory. Covill also added strength, which will help her combat physical defensive play against her. The Cougars hope to see a leap from sophomore guard Marta Alsina, who spent time over the summer playing in the Spanish national program.
Top newcomers: Mackenzie Chatfield, a junior transfer from Western Kentucky and native of New Zealand, had 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals in the Cougars’ exhibition win. Among four freshmen is Tanja Valancic, a 6-foot forward who has played in the Slovenian national program the past five years. Another promising rookie is 6-2 forward Malia Ruud.
Key non-conference games: The Cougars get their first serious test on Nov. 5 at Las Vegas against reigning Mountain West champion UNLV, which won 26 games. WSU gets home matchups against former Pac-12 rivals Stanford and Oregon on Nov. 14 and 19, respectively. The Cougars visit Orlando, Fla., to take on Missouri on Nov. 23, then move on to the US Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, where they will meet Miami-Ohio on Nov. 28, then likely NCAA regional finalist LSU the next day. WSU visits BYU on Dec. 3 before hosting Texas Tech on Dec. 12. They return east to play at 23-win Seton Hall on Dec. 19.
What matters: WSU’s best player got better. While training with the Italian senior national team Villa improved her ball-handling, shooting and leadership, according to her coach. “She is consistent. She handles her nerves, just know how to compete,” Ethridge said. “Just love her growth and love her attitude.”
Quote: “I’ve never seen another player celebrate other people’s success like she does. It’s risen the vibe in our gym. It’s been fun to be a part of.” — WSU head coach Kamie Ethridge on freshman Tanja Valancic
4. PORTLAND
2024-25: 17-3/tied 1st West Coast Conference; 31-5 overall
Head Coach: Michael Meek (130-62 in 7th season)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2024 (lost 78-65 to Kansas State in the first round)
Top returning players: Dyani Ananiev, a 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore guard from Australia, returns healthy after being limited to 10 games last season by a stress reaction in her leg. She averaged 8.2 points in the 2023-24 campaign and folded a 20-point game into an all-freshman season. This year, Ananiev was chosen to the preseason All-West Coast Conference team. “Since I’ve been at Portland, her upside and potential is off the charts,” Meek said. Also back and perhaps ready to blossom after missing all of last season with an ACL injury is redshirt sophomore guard Florence Dallow of New Zealand.
Top newcomers: The Pilots welcome six freshmen and graduate transfer Nicole Rodriguez, who averaged 10.2 points for LMU two seasons ago and missed all of last year at SMU due to a preseason injury. The 5-9 guard returns to the West Coast Conference, bringing leadership and maturity to a Pilots team with 11 freshmen and sophomores. Among the rookies are 6-1 forward Goundo Diakite of Spain and 6-5 Jada Kennedy of Australia.
Key non-conference games: The Pilots hit the road for the first time for a Nov. 18 game at USC, the reigning Big Ten champion and an NCAA regional finalist. They host BYU on Dec. 6 and visit Oregon on Dec. 18.
What matters: The Pilots, coming off their first regular-season conference title since 1997 and a program-record 31 victories, will start again minus five seniors, including All-West Coast Conference selections Emme Shearer and Maisie Burnham. But Meek likes the talent on this team and expects senior Natalie Fraley and juniors Lainey Spear and Rhyan Model to take on bigger roles after serving as complementary backups last season.
Quote: “Now being the seventh year at Portland, this is probably the most turnover and the most like a new team from the year before. We’re incredibly young . . . but we definitely have the most depth and talent we’ve had.” — Pilots head coach Michael Meek
5. SANTA CLARA
2024-25: 8-12/8th West Coast Conference; 14-17 overall
Head Coach: Loree Payne (1st season at Santa Clara; 141-116 overall in 8 seasons as a Division I head coach)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2005 (lost 94-75 to Stanford in the first round)
Top returning players: Only two players are back from a year ago, including senior forward Alana Goodchild, who averaged 5.8 points and was second on the team with 33 3-point baskets.
Top newcomers: The Broncos will largely rebuild around seven transfers and six freshmen. Head coach Loree Payne brought three players with her from Northern Arizona, including 6-2 graduate forward Sophie Glancey, a two-time unanimous All-Big Sky honoree who averaged 18.1 points and 9.6 rebounds with 62 blocked shots last season. Glancey has scored nearly 1,500 points in just three seasons. Guard Ashley Hawkins was the Big South Player of the Year for Gardner Webb after posting 18.9 points and 4.9 assists. New Zealander Maia Jones averaged 12.2 points as a sophomore guard last season at Saint Mary’s and earned a spot on the preseason all-conference roster. Another experienced newcomer is junior forward Kylee Fox, who scored 9.2 points per game a year ago at Fresno State. Sienna Grieger, a freshman guard from Australia, is expected to provide perimeter shooting.
Key non-conference games: Payne makes her Santa Clara debut on Monday against Stanislaus State. Three days later, the Broncos visit Stanford. Santa Clara plays Nov. 19 at San Diego State, which won 25 games and reached the NCAA Tournament last season. SCU treks to Phoenix on Dec. 14 to tackle Grand Canyon, an NCAA Tournament entry after going undefeated in the WAC.
What matters: With so many new pieces, including a new coaching staff, the Broncos are tinkering with different rotations, different lineups. "They’ve all come together with a goal that we want to contend for the conference championship this year,” Payne said. “I think we have the talent to do it.”
Quote: “She’s a very, very special player, who came in as a freshman at NAU and was phenomenal from the get-up. She’s just continued to grow her game. She’s going to be a force this year. I think she is absolutely one of the best post players across the country.” — First-year head coach Loree Payne on what she expects from forward Sophie Glancey, who came with her from Northern Arizona to Santa Clara
6. SAN FRANCISCO
2024-25: 11-9/tied 5th West Coast Conference; 15-16 overall
Head Coach: Molly Goodenbour (134-143 in 10th season at USF; 182-219 in 13th season in Div. I)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2016 (lost 85-58 to Stanford in the first round)
Top returning players: The Dons are pretty much all new. Aya Keita, who played in 29 games last season, now serves as the program’s director of operations. Forward Sol Castro saw action in four games in November.
Top newcomers: The Dons brought in 11 new players, including six transfers. Sophomore wing Candy Edokpaigbe averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and blocked 55 shots at Seattle U last season while picking up WAC all-freshman honors. Goodenbour called her “super dynamic.” Senior guard Olivia Williams produced 7.4 points for a strong UC Irvine team. Among the freshmen, guard Aina Cargol and forward Noelia Mourino, both from Spain, show promise. Goodenbour identified 6-3 freshman forward Natasa Tausova of Slovakia as “a wild card” and underrated prospect.
Key non-conference games: The Dons face Seton Hall, third-place finisher in the Big East, on Nov. 14. Two days later, they host UC San Diego, which will join the West Coast Conference two years from now. USF plays Arizona State at Tempe on Dec. 6 and is home on Dec. 13 to face Colorado State, the third-place finisher in the Mountain West last season.
What matters: The Dons are trying to assemble new pieces after losing much of their roster, including All-West Coast Conference pick Freja Werth and forward Debora Dos Santos, who tore her ACL mid-season and transferred to Idaho. Goodenbour said as many as three freshmen could find their way into the starting lineup.
Quote: “They’re great kids, I like them. Some very talented players. I think we are going to be a good team, but that is a timeline that’s down the horizon.” — USF head coach Molly Goodenbour
7. SAINT MARY’S
2024-25: 6-10/6th West Coast Conference; 13-18 overall
Head Coach: Jeff Cammon (26-36 in 3rd season at SMC; 110-126 in 8 seasons in Div. I)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2001 (lost 82-65 to Tennessee in the second round)
Top returning players: Emily Foy, a junior guard from Australia, is the reigning Sixth Woman of the Year in the conference after averaging 8.3 points per game last season. Senior forward Abigail Shoff (7.1 points, 3.7 rebounds) made 23 starts last season. Four other returnees combined to start 28 games a year ago.
Top newcomers: Senior guard Malia Latu averaged 10.7 points last year in her second season at Santa Clara after playing her freshman campaign at San Francisco. Senior forward Georgia Grigoropoulou also comes from Santa Clara, where she averaged 4.4 points and 4.7 rebounds as a part-time starter.
Key non-conference games: The Gaels face a challenge right out of the game, trekking to face Wyoming, runner-up in the Mountain West, on Tuesday. Saint Mary’s visits Cal on Nov. 20 and takes on Oregon at Frisco, Texas, on Nov. 25 as part of the Hoopfest Challenge. The Gaels will be challenged on Dec. 2 at USC and Dec. 7 at Grand Canyon.
What matters: Back after both suffered injuries last season are sisters Addi and Ella Wedin. They hope to provide some of the perimeter shooting threat of their older sister, ex-Gaels start Taycee Wedin, who set a program record with 407 career 3-point baskets.
Quote: “I think we’re going to be a real disruptive team on defense. We’re just getting it and I think we’re going to be really good there.” — Junior guard Addi Wedin on what she expects the Gaels’ personality to be
8. PACIFIC
2024-25: 8-8/5th West Coast Conference; 19-15 overall
Head Coach: Bradley Davis (129-146 in 10th season)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: None
Top returning players: The Tigers’ top players back from a year ago are a pair of returning starters, junior wing Marina Radocaj (6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds) and senior guard Sydney Ward (4.8 points, 5.5 rebounds). Sophomore Daria Nestorov (4.2 points), who will slide into the vacant point guard spot, converted a team-best 41 percent from 3-point range off the bench. She also gained great experience over the summer playing on the Serbian U20 national team that finished second at the European championships.
Top newcomers: Leading the way among six newcomers is 6-1 junior forward Winner Bartholomew, a transfer from Rider who grew up in Nigeria. Bartholomew provided 8.3 points and 3.8 rebounds, shooting 53 percent from the field, and finished strong, averaging 13.1 points over her final nine games.
Key non-conference games: The Tigers visit Cal on Nov. 11 and host Seton Hall of the Big East on Nov. 16. Pacific travels to San Diego State for a Dec. 7 game before closing out its non-conference schedule at home against Washington in the Holiday Bash on Dec. 21.
What matters: The Tigers have three sizable holes to fill in their lineup after the departure of three seniors — point guards Liz Smith and Anaya James and center Elizabeth Elliott — who combined to give the Tigers 4,474 career points, 1,662 rebounds, 1,052 assists and 500 steals. The returnees will need to expand their contributions after playing as role contributors a year ago. In particular, head coach Bradley Davis said he’s watching to see which players develop into leaders to fill that void.
Quote: “It’s kind of fun to have the challenge and see not just the roles emerge for the new players but also their personalities. We only have six new players, but even the returners are taking on new roles.” — Pacific head coach Bradley Davis
9. LMU
2024-25: 5-11/7th West Coast Conference; 11-19 overall
Head Coach: Aarika Hughes (39-80 in 5th season)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2004 (lost 71-60 to Baylor in the first round)
Top returning players: Junior forward Maya Hernandez (12.8 points, 7.8 rebunds, 2.1 steals) is the Lions’ centerpiece. She scored 33 points in an early-season matchup vs South Dakota and finished the season strong, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds over the final four games. Hernandez was voted onto the coaches’ preseason all-conference team. Also back is junior guard Carly Heidger (8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds), a starter in 26 games a year ago. Guard Allison Clarke (5.5 points) started 15 times as a freshman and scored a season-high 19 points.
Top newcomers: LMU has six transfers, including three graduate guards. A 5-foot-7, Jess Lawson contributed 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season at Central Michigan, had a triple-double and 48 steals. She had 14 rebounds in the Lions’ early scrimmage. Ivana Krajina, a native of Croatia, played in just four games last season at Texas Tech after an All-America junior college run. Andjela Matic played 91 games the past three seasons at Vermont and Duquesne, averaging 6.0 points last year for the Dukes. She nearly made the 2024 Serbian Olympic team.
Key non-conference games: The Lions face a stiff test against Hawaii, the reigning regular-season Big West champ, on Nov. 21 at the Hawaii Classic.
What matters: The Lions field one of their deeper teams in recent years and plan a defensive focus. “That’s what I’ve wanted to do since I got here,” head coach Aarika Hughes said. Clarke has made big improvements as a defensive player and a rebounder.
Quote: “She’s the bull, the force. We saw that last year as a sophomore stepping up into a huge, key role. Watching the inconsistencies of a typical sophomore, you would think she’s a super-senior.” — Head coach Aarika Hughes on junior Maya Hernandez
10. PEPPERDINE
2024-25: 1-15/9th West Coast Conference; 5-25 overall
Head Coach: Katie Faulkner (5-25 in 2nd season)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2006 (lost 78-66 to Oklahoma in the first round)
Top returning players: Pepperdine has none of its 11 players from last year’s roster back. Eight players graduated and others, including all-freshman guard Chloe Sotell, exited via the transfer portal.
Top newcomers: Faulkner has assembled a roster with seven transfers, one junior college newcomer and four freshmen. Lina Falk, a junior guard, averaged 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds last season at Sacramento State and is part of the Germany national team program. Ellison Guiney, a versatile sophomore, comes from UNLV, where she played a limited role on team that won 26 games last season. Grad transfer Ivory Finley redshirted last season at Utah State after scoring 6.3 points the season before. Junior guard Taija Sta. Marie, is a transfer guard from Fresno State, where she was a two-year starter and scored a career-high 25 points in a game two years ago.
Key non-conference games: The Waves play on Nov. 19 at Northern Arizona, one year removed from new Santa Clara head coach Loree Payne leading the Lumberjacks to 27 victories. Pepperdine plays a challenging road game at USC on Nov. 28, and is host to the Malibu Classic, with North Dakota State and South Dakota visiting on Dec. 16-17.
What matters: The Waves’ all-new roster brings a mix Faulkner was looking for. She has three grad students, a senior, three juniors, a sophomore and four freshmen. “A nice healthy balance,” Faulkner said. “We have all the pieces — it’s just putting it together.”
Quote: “We have 12 completely new players on our roster. We knew that going into April and the (transfer) portal, which was total chaos. But I was really pleased to find a lot of high-character kids who were looking for what we had to offer.” — Pepperdine coach Katie Faulkner
11. SAN DIEGO
2024-15: 4-12/8th West Coast Conference; 9-22 overall
Head Coach: Blanche Alverson (1st season at USD and as Division I head coach)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008 (lost 77-60 to Cal in first round)
Top returning players: The Toreros’ top three scorers are gone, but junior guard Lauren McCall (6.2 points) and sophomore forward Dresha Moore (4.8 points, 4.6 rebounds) combined to start 39 games last season. Senior guard Hallie Rhodes (6.0 points) played primarily off the bench last season.
Top newcomers: Alverson brought in seven new players, including five freshmen. The transfers are Helen Holly, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Michigan State, and Kylie Ray, a sophomore point guard from Utah. Both players saw limited action as freshmen, but Alverson said, “They’re both immediate impact. Their experience at that level just playing and practicing every day, it carries over. I’m excited for them to have an opportunity to show what they’re capable of.”
Key non-conference games: Alverson makes her debut as a head coach on Monday at home against Bethesda. The Toreros welcome Arizona State on Nov. 13 and trek to the Midwest for a Dec. 10 game at Wisconsin of the Big Ten.
What matters: Alverson, a former assistant at Georgia Tech, says she wants her team to play fast. They need to improve their shooting, she said, but isn’t worried about it. She understands the need to be patient this first season as her team comes together. The entire roster wasn’t on campus until September with the arrival of freshman Jessica Ajayi, who had been training with the Nigerian national team and did not get to San Diego until after Labor Day.
Quote: “Every day we’re working on comparing us to us. Just establishing the culture is the main thing we’re trying to do, really get into that competitive mode.” — First-year head coach Blanche Alverson on the task ahead
12. SEATTLE U
2024-25: 1-15/9th WAC; 4-26 overall
Head Coach: Skyler Young (10-49 in 3rd season)
Most recent NCAA Tournament appearance: 2018 (lost 88-45 to Oregon in the first round)
Top returning players: Redshirt senior Tamia Strickland delivered 8.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, including a season-best 21 points, last season in her first year with the Redhawks. Sophomore guard Sydnie Rodriguez (5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds) started all 30 games and produced three double-digit scoring efforts.
Top newcomers: The Redhawks welcome a veteran of the West Coast Conference in guard Ella Brubaker, a graduate transfer from Pepperdine who averaged 8.6 points last season, with three games of at least 20 points. Other transfers include 6-5 forward Andjela Bigovic, a graduate student from Tarleton State, and senior guard Aaliya Ibarra, who averaged 7.8 points and made 39 shots from 3-point range at Utah Tech last season. Among three freshmen is guard Dylan Mogel, whose older sister plays for Portland.
Key non-conference games: The Redhawks open with a cross-town matchup at Washington on Monday. They play Nov. 21 at Boise State, which fashioned a 13-3 home record last season.
What matters: Head coach Skyler Young, who previously served as an assistant to Michael Meek at Portland, says recruiting has picked up since Seattle U rejoined the West Coast Conference, where it was a member through 1979-80 before dropping to Division II status for 30 years. But the Redhawks may have their hands full immediately in the league after a rough final campaign in the WAC. “Just one percent better every day,” Young said of the immediate goal.
Quote: “Definitely, this is a great opportunity for our university to rejoin the West Coast Conference. And for me, personally, to go back to a league I’m really familiar with. Knowing the challenges ahead because you’re playing against great coaches and championship programs.” — Seattle head coach Skyler Young