WCC Basketball Teams at a Glance

GONZAGA (10-3)

The Bulldogs, having won eight consecutive games, appear to be improved over last season’s 14-14 team. Forward Jarrod Davis, a 6-foot-5 senior, averaged 19.3 points and 6.3 rebounds to lead Gonzaga to a 7-1 record in December and earned the West Coast Conference player-of-the-month award. The Bulldogs have been strengthened by the addition of 6-8 center Jeff Brown, a transfer from Washington who is averaging 16.3 points and 6.4 rebounds.

PEPPERDINE (7-5)

Coach Tom Asbury is hopeful the Waves can build on a 79-73 overtime loss to fourth-ranked Kansas on Jan. 2. The team had struggled prior to that game, losing four of seven, including an embarrassing setback to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a Division II school. “For whatever reason, this team was playing without confidence the past few weeks,” Asbury said. “I see the performance at Kansas as a real confidence booster.” Pepperdine returns all five starters from last season’s WCC championship team. Guard Doug Christie, the conference most valuable player a year ago, leads a balanced scoring attack with a 17.8 average. Two-time all-conference forward Geoff Lear (14.7 points, 6.2 rebounds) and sophomore forward Dana Jones (12.2 points, seven rebounds), who has twice been the conference player of the week this season, are the other standouts.

PORTLAND (7-5)

The Pilots will play host to the conference tournament in March, but it remains to be seen whether they have a strong enough team to take advantage of the home court. Grant Tracy, a 6-6 forward, and guard Peter McKelvey rank second and third in conference scoring with averages of 20.5 and 18.5. Another force is 6-7 center Brenton Moore, who averages 6.3 rebounds and leads the WCC in blocked shots per game.

ST. MARY’S (8-6)

The defensive-minded Gaels have held opponents to 64.8 points a game, best in the conference. That could be a sign that they are prepared to duplicate last season’s role as conference nuisance. Although St. Mary’s was only 7-7 in conference games, it played everyone close and advanced to the WCC tournament final before losing in overtime to Pepperdine. Coach Ernie Kent, who succeeded unpopular Paul Landreaux (now at El Camino College) midway through last season, has all five starters back, led by all-conference forward Eric Bamberger.

SAN DIEGO (8-5)

Coach Hank Egan, in his 21st season at San Diego, will be counting heavily on all-conference forward Kelvin Woods to help the Toreros improve upon last year’s third-place finish. The 6-5 Woods leads the team and ranks eighth in the WCC in scoring with a 15.1 average. San Diego has also been bolstered by the return of 6-5 swingman Gylan Dottin, who sat out last season after being named WCC freshman of the year in 1989. Dottin is averaging 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.

SAN FRANCISCO (8-5)

The Dons were the preseason pick to finish fifth in the conference, but now most observers believe that was too low. “USF is really playing well,” Loyola Coach Jay Hillock said. “They have momentum. They’ll be a top division team for sure.” San Francisco, which has impressive victories over California and DePaul, has benefited greatly from three Texas recruits. Known as the Lone Star Gang, forwards Tim Owens (16.5) and Darryl Johnson (14.5), and guard Orlando Smart (12.9) rank among the top 11 scorers in the conference. In addition, Johnson tops the WCC in rebounding, averaging 10 a game, and Smart is the conference assist leader. The 6-5 Owens was named WCC player of the week for averaging 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in three games last week, despite playing with stitches in his hand. The Dons picked up a valuable addition in guard Travis Bice, a transfer from Nevada Las Vegas who ranks third in the conference in three-point shooting percentage.

SANTA CLARA (4-9)

The Broncos played a demanding nonconference schedule and should see their record improve in WCC play. With five starters back, the team is one of the most experienced in the conference. Center Ron Reis, a 7-foot, 285-pound senior, leads Santa Clara with averages of 12.8 points and 9.5 rebounds. Reis’ supporting cast is led by all-conference forward Rhea Taylor, who averages 11.6 points.