Gonzaga Fan's Guide to the WCC - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

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Gonzaga Fan's Guide to the WCC

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by Sam Adams, SWX Anchor/Reporter - bio | email
Gonzaga could face serious threats from the likes of Saint Mary's and BYU this season (Photo: SWX) Gonzaga could face serious threats from the likes of Saint Mary's and BYU this season (Photo: SWX)
SPOKANE, Wash. -

Gonzaga's stranglehold in the West Coast Conference ended last year, as Saint Mary's ended the Zags' string of 11 straight conference titles. This year, the conference looks as strong as ever after sending a record three teams to last year's tournament.


WCC is Guard Country

The conference returns a trio of elite guards, including the guy Gonzaga fans love to hate: Matthew Dellavedova. The reigning WCC Player of the Year is back for another season and has picked up right where he left off, scoring 31 points in back-to-back games

Loyola Marymount's junior guard, Anthony Ireland also has the hot hand. His scoring average has made quantum leaps since he arrived in Los Angeles, from 10 ppg as a freshman to 16 as a sophomore and now 20 ppg as a junior.

Kevin Foster is a consistent 20 point scorer for Santa Clara. He was suspended last season, derailing the Dons' hopes for a WCC title. Now, with a healthy team back on the floor he and the Broncos could rise to the top again.


San Francisco in Rebuilding Mode

The Dons are on the rebound after Michael Williams and Paris Blackwell were part of a mass exodus from the team. Six players in all left the program, leaving head coach Rex Walters scrambling to field a new team.

Surprisingly, San Francisco is still a threat in the WCC. They won five straight games after a season-opening loss to Stanford.


BYU Is No Longer a Newcomer

Last year's new kids on the block, BYU, have made themselves right at home in the WCC. Last season they continued their streak of appearances in the NCAA Tournament – now six straight. The Cougars return double-double threat Brandon Davies and he could challenge the likes of Dellavedova and Foster for the league scoring title. The Cougars also have a sophomore sensation in Tyler Haws, who has scored 18 or more points in each of his first seven collegiate games.

 

Guards and a changing of the guard are the themes of the West Coast Conference this season. And if last season taught us anything, even a national powerhouse like Gonzaga could have its hands full.

  • Sam's Sports Blog

  • Gonzaga Basketball

    Wednesday, January 2 2013 8:28 PM EST2013-01-03 01:28:46 GMT
    © SWX
    This year, the conference looks as strong as ever after sending a record three teams to last year's tournament.
    Gonzaga's stranglehold in the West Coast Conference ended last year, as Saint Mary's ended the Zags' string of 11 straight conference titles. This year, the conference looks as strong as ever after sending a record three teams to last year's tournament.

  • Tuesday, September 11 2012 6:15 PM EDT2012-09-11 22:15:17 GMT
    © SWX
    Football fans in the Inland Northwest got a healthy dose of reality over the weekend. Their beloved Seahawks lost their season opener and Washington State barely eked out a win against Eastern.
    Football fans in the Inland Northwest got a healthy dose of reality over the weekend. Their beloved Seahawks lost their season opener and Washington State barely eked out a win against Eastern.

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    It's just about the only toy that can make a grown man giggle like a school girl.  It doesn't have a convertible top, and you don't need to tie it down to a dock.  It's Madden.

  • College SportsCollege

  • Saturday, May 18 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:08:30 GMT
    Washington State dropped a 3-1 decision to the University of Washington Saturday afternoon at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, Wash.

     
    Washington State dropped a 3-1 decision to the University of Washington Saturday afternoon at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, Wash.

     

  • Saturday, May 18 2013 2:59 PM EDT2013-05-18 18:59:22 GMT
    Washington took advantage of two eighth-inning errors by Washington State to score a pair of runs in a 4-3 victory in Pac-12 Conference baseball, Friday night at Gesa Stadium.
    Washington took advantage of two eighth-inning errors by Washington State to score a pair of runs in a 4-3 victory in Pac-12 Conference baseball, Friday night at Gesa Stadium.

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 12:06 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:06:30 GMT
    Photo courtesy Gonzaga athletics
    The Gonzaga University baseball team continued its struggle with the University Oregon by suffering a 4-1 defeat to the 10th-ranked Ducks Wednesday at PK Park.
    The Gonzaga University baseball team continued its struggle with the University Oregon by suffering a 4-1 defeat to the 10th-ranked Ducks Wednesday at PK Park.
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  • GonzagaGonzaga

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 12:06 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:06:30 GMT
    Photo courtesy Gonzaga athletics
    The Gonzaga University baseball team continued its struggle with the University Oregon by suffering a 4-1 defeat to the 10th-ranked Ducks Wednesday at PK Park.
    The Gonzaga University baseball team continued its struggle with the University Oregon by suffering a 4-1 defeat to the 10th-ranked Ducks Wednesday at PK Park.

  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:12 AM EDT2013-05-15 05:12:46 GMT
    After tying the game in the eighth inning, the Gonzaga University baseball team suffered a 4-3 defeat as No. 10 University of Oregon walked-off in the ninth inning at PK Park Tuesday.
    After tying the game in the eighth inning, the Gonzaga University baseball team suffered a 4-3 defeat as No. 10 University of Oregon walked-off in the ninth inning at PK Park Tuesday.

  • Monday, May 13 2013 1:15 AM EDT2013-05-13 05:15:33 GMT
    Six Gonzaga University baseball players spent the morning receiving their diplomasonly to battle in the series finale against Appalachian State University.
    Six Gonzaga University baseball players spent the morning at the Spokane Arena receiving their diplomas at the university's graduation ceremony only to battle in the series finale against Appalachian State University in the afternoon.
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