2024 West Coast Conference Tournament
The West Coast Conference Tournament tips on March 7th with the play in-game between #8 Pepperdine and #9 Pacific, but all eyes will be on the top of the league with perennial power Gonzaga and the regular season champion Saint Mary’s. Both look to be in the field of 68, with either Santa Clara or San Francisco looking to play their way into March Madness.
The West Coast Conference does a nice job of rewarding regular-season success. Both Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga received byes into the semifinals and San Francisco and Santa Clara are through to the Quarterfinals setting the stage for competitive, meaningful college basketball all week long at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
How to Watch the West Coast Conference Tournament
When: March 7-9, March 11, March 12
Where: Orleans Arena
Format: Ascending Byes based on regular season performance
Watch: ESPN+, ESPN, ESPN2; Championship Game on ESPN on Mar. 12 at 6 p.m. ET
College Basketball Odds | College Basketball Betting Splits | Greg Peterson’s Daily Lines | Steve Makinen’s Power Ratings
West Coast Conference Bracket
West Coast Conference Tournament Seeds, Teams and Odds
1. Gonzaga (-115)
2. Saint Mary’s (+105)
3. San Francisco (+1200)
4. Santa Clara (+2500)
5. San Diego (+15000)
6. Portland (+15000)
7. LMU (+20000)
8. Pepperdine (+30000)
9. Pacific (+30000)
(odds from DraftKings Sportsbook accurate at time of publish)
Favorite To Win West Coast Conference Tournament
While this isn’t the Gonzaga team we have become accustomed to in years past, they still find themselves at the top of the odds board to win a fifth straight conference tournament. Like years past, offense has driven success, leading the conference with 85.6 points per game. This year they are led by interior threat Graham Ike who was second in the conference in points and fourth in rebounds. They have also found their stride as of late winning eight in a row including beating Santa Clara, San Francisco and Saint Mary’s to close the season.
Saint Mary’s, the last team to beat Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference tournament, finished their conference season 15-1, with the lone loss coming on the final day of play at home to Gonzaga. While they can fill up the nets, their defense game drove their conference record. Saint Mary’s led the league, giving up just 58.5 points per game.
Both teams are likely in the big dance even if they falter this weekend, but a deciding third matchup still looks likely in the tournament finals.
West Coast Conference Tournament Darkhorse
With two dominant teams in the market, look no further than the third team on the odds board, San Francisco. While they did get swept by both Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga in the regular season, they played each of them close on the road. They are a well-rounded team finished 2nd in both points per game and points allowed per game in conference. The Dons beat everyone else in conference so they should have no trouble advancing to the semi-finals. San Francisco also led the conference in free throw percentage, which consistently seems to matter tournament time. The price isn’t bad either at 12-1.
Players to Watch in West Coast Conference Tournament
Gonzaga’s three headed monster of Graham Ike, Anton Watson and Nolan Hickman have been a force all year. Each averages over 14 PPG and shots over 35% from three-point land. Ike and Watson are also among the league’s leading window cleaners, averaging over 7 boards per game.
Aidan Mahaney leads Saint Mary’s balanced attack while ranking 12th in the conference in points per game. He does have the ability to heat it up from the outside, hitting the second most 3s per game in the conference and leading the conference in 3 pointers made.
When San Francisco takes the court, keep an eye on Jonathan Mogbo, the Don’s do it all big man. He ranks sixth in scoring, first in rebounds, seventh in assists, seventh in blocks, first in steals and first in field goal percentage in the conference.
Pepperdine’s Michael Ajayi led the conference in scoring, including dropping 30 against Pacific who they will face in the play-in game.
Betting Pick to Win the West Coast Conference Tournament
It’s not flashy, but this still feels like Gonzaga’s to lose. I’d love to take a swing at the Dons at 12/1, but they would have to beat both Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s to win the tournament based on the structure, which feels like a tall task. I agree with oddsmakers, it’s most likely Saint Mary’s vs Gonzaga in the final and the Bulldogs fans travel well to Las Vegas year in and year out.
Pick: Gonzaga -115
Makinen Power Ratings for West Coast Conference
Check out the other previews in our 2024 College Basketball Conference Tournament Betting Guide.
