WCC Men’s Basketball Midseason Check-In: Gonzaga Leads, But There’s More to Watch Across the Board
As the 2025-26 college basketball season hits the conference play stretch, the West Coast Conference table looks awfully familiar. Gonzaga’s sitting atop the standings, Saint Mary’s is right there in the mix, and the rest of the league is trying to either keep pace or find its footing. But while the top may look the same, dig a little deeper and you’ll find a WCC that’s evolving-new contenders emerging, young stars stepping up, and questions looming for every team heading into the heart of league play.
Let’s break down each of the 12 teams, starting from the top of the current standings, with one reason to be optimistic and one major question heading into WCC action.
1. Gonzaga (12-1)
Reason for optimism:
Braden Huff has been a revelation.
The sophomore forward is putting up 19.1 points per game and doing it with surgical efficiency. What makes that even more impressive?
He’s not even the primary focus on most scouting reports. That kind of production from a secondary option speaks volumes about Gonzaga’s depth and offensive versatility.
Big question:
Defense was the Zags’ calling card early in the season, but cracks have started to show.
After holding opponents under 70 in eight of their first 10 games, they’ve now allowed 70+ in three straight. Is it just a blip, or a sign of something more concerning as the competition stiffens?
2. Saint Mary’s (11-2)
Reason for optimism:
The Gaels continue to look like, well, the Gaels.
Tough defense, strong rebounding, and a disciplined approach on both ends. Mikey Lewis has stepped up as a legitimate offensive weapon, shooting 40% from deep and giving Randy Bennett’s squad a reliable perimeter scorer.
Big question:
Saint Mary’s has only faced four top-100 KenPom teams, and they’re 0-2 against those ranked inside the top 60. The Gaels have been dominant against lesser opponents-but how will they fare when the lights get brighter and the competition gets tougher?
3. Seattle U (11-2)
Reason for optimism:
The Redhawks are making a strong first impression in their debut WCC season.
Wins over Stanford and Washington weren’t seismic upsets, but they sent a message: Seattle U isn’t backing down from anyone. Riding a six-game win streak, Chris Victor’s team enters league play with real momentum.
Big question:
Rebounding could be the Achilles’ heel.
At 35.3 boards per game, Seattle’s numbers are solid-but not when compared to Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s, both of whom average over 40. If the Redhawks can’t hold their own on the glass, it could be a long road against the league’s elite.
4. Santa Clara (9-4)
Reason for optimism:
Christian Hammond has emerged as a go-to guy.
After missing last season, he’s come back in a big way-averaging 17.4 points per game and shooting nearly 45% from beyond the arc. His scoring punch has given the Broncos a much-needed offensive lift.
Big question:
Santa Clara loves to let it fly from three, ranking 24th nationally in attempts.
The problem? They’re hitting just 31.3% of them, which ranks 284th.
That’s a math problem that doesn’t work in your favor unless the shots start falling more consistently.
5. Loyola Marymount (9-4)
Reason for optimism:
This might be the best defensive team Stan Johnson has had in his six years at LMU.
The Lions are top-40 nationally in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, and three-point defense. That kind of stinginess gives them a chance in almost every game.
Big question:
LMU started hot with six straight wins, but they’ve stumbled lately, dropping four of their last seven.
In four of those games, they failed to score 70 points. If the offense doesn’t find another gear, the defense might not be enough to keep them in the upper tier.
6. Pacific (9-4)
Reason for optimism:
Elias Ralph is doing it all.
The junior wing leads the Tigers in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks, and he’s been the heartbeat of a team that’s already matched its best nonconference win total since 2019-20.
Big question:
The strength of schedule is a concern.
All nine wins have come against teams ranked No. 218 or lower in KenPom-or non-Division I opponents. The WCC won’t offer many soft landings, so we’ll find out quickly if those numbers translate against stiffer competition.
7. San Francisco (8-5)
Reason for optimism:
David Fuchs is back-and making an immediate impact.
The Dons are 2-0 since his return, and he’s averaging 21.5 points in those games. His presence changes the dynamic for a team that badly needed a frontcourt scoring option.
Big question:
The backcourt duo of Ryan Beasley and Tyrone Riley IV has shown flashes, but they’re still trying to fill the void left by Malik Thomas and Marcus Williams. If USF wants to climb into the top three, those two guards will need to elevate their games-quickly.
8. Oregon State (8-5)
Reason for optimism:
The Beavers picked up a confidence-boosting road win at Arizona State, with Josiah Lake II pouring in 23 points and going 12-for-12 from the free throw line.
It’s the kind of gritty win that can galvanize a team heading into conference play.
Big question:
Rebounding is a glaring issue.
Oregon State ranks 307th nationally in rebound margin (-3.0), and that’s a stat that tends to show up in big games. If they can’t clean the glass better, they’ll struggle to stay competitive against the WCC’s top-tier teams.
9. Portland (7-6)
Reason for optimism:
Joel Foxwell is the latest Aussie gem unearthed by Shantay Legans.
The freshman guard leads the team in both scoring (13.0 ppg) and assists (7.1 apg), showing poise well beyond his years. He’s a foundational piece to build around.
Big question:
Defense remains the Achilles’ heel.
Portland is allowing nearly 82 points per game, ranking 329th nationally in scoring defense. Until that side of the ball improves, the Pilots will be in too many shootouts-and likely on the wrong end of most.
10. San Diego (5-7)
Reason for optimism:
Even with a five-game losing streak in nonconference play, the Toreros already have five wins-just one shy of their total from all of last season.
That’s progress, and it suggests the rebuild might be slowly turning a corner.
Big question:
San Diego is struggling on both ends of the floor, ranking in the bottom third nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense. If they can’t improve at least one of those areas, it’s hard to see them climbing out of the bottom tier.
11. Washington State (5-8)
Reason for optimism:
Freshman guard Ace Glass is the real deal.
He dropped 81 points over three games at the Maui Invitational and has continued to score despite drawing more defensive attention. He’s a star in the making and a bright spot in an otherwise bumpy start.
Big question:
The Cougars haven’t won a single Division I game away from Beasley Coliseum. With five of their first eight WCC games on the road-including a home date with Gonzaga-that stretch will tell us a lot about where this team is headed under David Riley.
12. Pepperdine (5-8)
Reason for optimism:
Aaron Clark has shown he can fill it up.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore has already posted three 25-point games and gives the Waves a scorer who can get hot in a hurry. If he finds more consistency, he could carry this team through some tough stretches.
Big question:
Pepperdine has just two Division I wins and opens conference play against Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and Santa Clara.
That’s a brutal gauntlet. Can they stay competitive in at least one of those games and build something from it?
Final Thoughts:
Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s are still the standard, but the WCC has more intrigue than meets the eye.
Seattle U is surging in its first season, Santa Clara and LMU are lurking with strong cores, and several teams have young stars who could change the narrative. As league play begins, the standings may look familiar-but the stories behind them are anything but.