West Coast: Conference tournament preview
WEST COAST CONFERENCE
BEGINS: Friday
CHAMPIONSHIP: Tuesday, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
OVERVIEW: Saint Mary's is the top seed after claiming the regular-season title. The Gaels have dipped in and out of the Paste BN Sports top 25 rankings and currently are ranked No. 24. Saint Mary's, led by 6-1 sophomore guard Emmett Naar (13.9) and a balanced offense with four players in double figures, swept Gonzaga during the regular season and split with Brigham Young, the two top rivals for the tournament title. The Zags will be a tough out, of course, with a formidable lineup that includes versatile 6-11 sophomore Domantas Sabonis and 6-10 senior Kyle Wiltjer. The Zags have been hurt by the loss of 7-1 senior Przemek Karnowski, who missed much of the season because of back surgery. The WCC might be a one-bid league ... so, the automatic bid is a must.
STANDINGS
Saint Mary's (15-3, 25-4)
Gonzaga (15-3, 23-7)
BYU (13-5, 22-9)
Pepperdine (10-8, 17-12)
San Francisco (8-10, 15-14)
Santa Clara (7-11, 11-19)
Loyola Marymount (6-12, 13-16)
Portland (6-12, 12-19)
Pacific (6-12, 8-20)
San Diego (4-14, 9-20)
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