Egan Predicts a WCAC Title for Toreros : USD Opens Conference Play Tonight Against Santa Clara

SANTA CLARA —  University of San Diego Coach Hank Egan is not usually the type of guy to go out on a limb.

Surprise.

“Before the season started,” Egan said, “I thought Pepperdine would win the conference. Now that we’re starting league play, I’m picking us to win.”

USD (10-4) plays its West Coast Athletic Conference opener against Santa Clara (5-9) at 7:30 tonight at Toso Pavilion.

The Toreros have won five straight and seven of eight to finish with the second-best nonconference record among WCAC teams. Pepperdine was 12-3.

“We’ve adjusted to one another and we’re more cohesive as a unit,” Egan said. “The number of people who’ve contributed has been a pleasant surprise.”

Egan is not the only one singing the praises of the Toreros.

“I think USD has a great chance to win the title,” said Santa Clara Coach Carroll Williams. “They have size, experience, shooting and discipline.”

Said University of San Francisco Coach Jim Brovelli, who used to coach at USD: “I think USD will be a factor in the WCAC. They are very solid and pretty darn good. When they’re in their rhythm, they’re tough.”

Tonight’s game against Santa Clara could hinge on the big man USD has and the big man the Broncos don’t have.

Led by 7-foot center Nick Vanos, now playing with the Phoenix Suns, the Broncos were 20-9 and finished second in the conference with a 9-3 mark last season. They were eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the NIT.

This season, 6-9 sophomore Dan Weiss (6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds) is one of three new starters on a young team that got off to a 2-8 start before winning three of its last four.

Weiss will be facing Scott Thompson, the 7-foot center who leads USD in scoring and rebounding with 13.9 and 7.5 per game averages.

“In Scott Thompson, they have the best big man in the WCAC,” Williams said.

Best team? Best big man? Lots of bests being tossed around.