The West Coast Conference wrapped up their second week of competition, and it was a mixed bag for the programs out west. Across all 11 programs, the conference managed a 9-10 record from 11/12-11/18. While there were some big time wins, there were also a handful of disappointing losses. Regardless, the hierarchy of the conference hasn’t moved much at the top, but the other programs will likely be jostling for respect all season long. Time to dig into the West Coast Conference Power Rankings after week two (through games played on November 17).
West Coast Conference Power Rankings: Week 2
#1: Gonzaga Bulldogs (3-0)
11-15-24 vs UMASS Lowell-W, 113-54
Despite only playing a single game during the week, the Gonzaga Bulldogs maintain an iron grip on the top spot in these rankings. Casual observers likely dismissed the River Hawks, but this is a team that is favored to contend in the America East Conference and start two seniors, two fifth-year seniors and a graduate student. None of this mattered as they were blitzed by the Zags by 59 points. Khalif Battle and Mark Few have been a match made in heaven for fans of offense, as the Arkansas transfer put up 21 points on a perfect 4-4 from deep. Ryan Nembhard now has 30 assists to only two turnovers and is shooting 57% from deep.
If you had said that preseason All-American Graham Ike would only be playing 16.7 minutes a night and Ben Gregg had not hit a three through three games, alarm bells would be ringing. Instead, the squad from Spokane looks to be primed for another great season with possibly the best second unit in the nation.
#2: Saint Mary’s Gaels (4-0)
11-12-24 vs Akron-W,87-68
11-17-24 vs Nebraska-W,77-74 (Neutral Site)
The Gaels of Saint Mary’s have supplanted the University of San Francisco for the number two spot in these rankings. This is by virtue of playing tougher opponents and securing the conference’s second win against a Power 4 opponent in the Nebraska Cornhuskers, on a neutral site in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Gaels are undefeated and are silencing doubters who were concerned with the losses of Aidan Mahaney and Joshua Jefferson to the transfer portal. Is it possible their replacements, Paulius Murauskas and Mikey Lewis, are better? Through four games it is starting to look that way.
Lewis has quietly been one of the best freshmen in the country thanks to averages of 16.3 points per game while shooting 54% from the floor and 52% from deep. His dynamic, three level scoring is something that Saint Mary’s has desperately needed in the past. There is some concern about the team’s defense not meeting the usually stout standards that come with a Randy Bennett led-squad as they currently sit 88th in the nation in defensive rating on KenPom. They are also finding themselves in foul trouble quite regularly with two starters fouling out against the Cornhuskers. Without a very deep bench, this team can’t afford to have its top players riding the pine against their tougher opponents.
#3: San Francisco Dons (4-0)
11-13-24 vs Long Beach State, W-84-54
11-16-24 vs Chicago State, W-82-37
The San Francisco Dons eclipsed 80 points in both their matchups this week and won by an average margin of 37.5 points. The caveat? Those wins came against 1-3 Long Beach State and 0-4 Chicago State. Still, a 4-0 record is a 4-0 record, and the Dons have an electric offensive trio. Freshman Tyrone Riley IV is leading this team in scoring with just under 20 points per game. At 6-foot-6, he gives coach Chris Gerlufsen an infusion of athleticism and length along the perimeter. The veteran duo of Marcus Williams and Malik Thomas are combining for 29.3 points a night with both players shooting 48% or better from the floor. Thomas shot 40% from three last season and is only converting from deep at a 13% clip right now, that number will correct itself.
The Dons have a great win under their belt but have yet to be tested away from the confines of their home gym. Carlton Linguard Jr. has been serviceable at center but must prove his ability to defend the interior against the best bigs the conference has to offer. The Dons also rank third in the conference currently in turnovers a game with 13.5 giveaways a night. That number will likely lead to trouble when they play higher quality teams like Clemson and Memphis in the coming weeks.
#4: Washington State Cougars (3-1)
11-11-24 vs Idaho, W-90-67
11-15-24 vs Iowa, L-66-76 (Neutral Site)
There is no shame in losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes in Moline, Illinois. The Cougars led by three at halftime and won the rebounding battle 43-38. For a team featuring a head coach and a roster full of players that were competing in the Big Sky a year ago, for them to face down a Power 4 opponent away from home is a solid showing. Defeating Idaho comfortably should come as no surprise, but the Cougars defense has raised some eyebrows, not in a great way. Not only do they rank 96th in defensive rating on KenPom, but they have allowed 67 or more points in four straight games.
Still, the Cougars have six players all averaging double figures in scoring and seeing at least 24 minutes of action per game. They rank second in the conference in total points per game, second in total rebounds per game and fourth in free throw percentage. If the defense can stabilize even a little bit, the Cougars can put up plenty of points in the West Coast Conference.
#5: Oregon State Beavers (4-0)
11-12-24 vs Western Oregon-W, 94-58
11-15-24 vs Cal State Fullerton-W, 70-51
First thing first. The Beavers have played a very weak schedule that currently ranks 278th in the nation. But, the rest of the conference has struggled with many teams failing to win games that they should (Santa Clara), or falling back down to earth after a hot start (Pacific). With a perfect record, they at least deserve credit for winning games they are supposed to. Nate Kingz, a redshirt junior, has returned from an ACL injury and is making his presence felt at the Division I level. With 16.8 points a game and a blistering 56% from three on 23 attempts, he has torched opponents so far. Michael Rataj is a third-year Beaver who is playing his best basketball of his college career so far while averaging 15.3 points and 9.5 boards a game.
This team will play a weak non-conference schedule this year and it feels like there will be an inevitable drop off when teams like the Gaels or Zags pop up on the schedule, until that time though the Beavers will enjoy their time in the sun.
West Coast Conference Power Rankings: Ranking the Rest
#6: Portland (2-2)
#7: Santa Clara (1-3)
#8: Loyola Marymount (1-2)
#9: Pacific (3-2)
#10: Pepperdine (1-2)
#11: San Diego (1-3)
The Last Word
The biggest disappointment without a doubt has been Santa Clara. This writer picked them to potentially dethrone the Gaels as the second best team in the conference. There is hope they make a push for a national tournament bid. After a great season-opening neutral site win over Saint Louis, they fell to a solid Arizona State team, blew a 19 point lead to North Dakota State, and got blown out by 26 at Nevada. Have they played a tough schedule with three games coming on the road or at a neutral site? Yes. But, if you want to be considered a national tournament caliber team, these are must-win games. Four games do not make a whole season. Just ask the Gaels who started 3-8 last year.
