Countdown To Tip-Off: Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount Preview

With less a little over a month to the tip-off of the college basketball season, it is time to stop and breakdown with of the eight teams in the West Coast Conference.

The WCC has come off of a banner year, sending four teams to postseason tournaments, most notably Saint Mary's advancing to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1959.

Many of the familiar faces are gone but many return.

This week we will start with the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Loyola Marymount Lions.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Returning starters: G Steven Gray, C Robert Sacre, F Elias Harris, G Demetri Goodson

Key additions: G Marquise Carter (TR)

X-Factor: F Kelly Olynyk

Winning is nothing new to Mark Few and the Bulldogs and it will be business as usual in 2010-2011. WCC Player of the Year Matt Bouldin graduated but they still return four starters from last year’s team.

The one addition to the starting lineup could be sophomore Kelly Olynyk. The 6’11” forward is long, athletic, and will give other teams fits.

With Olynyk, seven-footer Robert Sacre, and 6’8” Elias Harris, Gonzaga will be a formidable frontline matchup for any team this year.

The focus on this team is the continual growth of forward Elias Harris. The 2010 WCC Newcomer of the Year took over many games and had some of his best games against the best competition; most notably was a 31-point performance in Moraga against Saint Mary’s.

The sophomore is a Player of the Year candidate and should not disappoint the Bulldogs faithful.

Olynyk may be the difference between a first round exit in the NCAA Tournament and a deep run into March. In his limited minutes last season, he was a menace on defense. At 6’11”, Olynyk has the ability to get into a passing lane very quickly and cause turnovers; he also played for the FIBA U19 Canadian National Team with Zags teammate Robert Sacre.

Manny Arop and Sam Dower will add much needed depth to the core of guards for Gonzaga.

Big games: 11/22 Kansas State @ Kansas City, 11/23 Duke/Marquette @ Kansas City, 12/18 Baylor @ Dallas, TX, 12/22 Xavier

Xavier – This is a matchup of the two premiere mid-major teams over the past decade. No other teams have been more dominant in their conferences than these two.

Baylor – Despite the loss of Ekpe Udoh, Baylor will remain very strong in the middle. Forward Perry Jones, ESPNU’s #3 overall recruit, will be playing for the Bears and will make an immediate impact. They also return LaceDarius Dunn and Quicy Acy from the Elite Eight team of last season. Baylor is on the rise.

Duke – What else can you say about the defending champs? They return their leading scorer in Kyle Singler and the twins, Mason and Miles Plumlee. Nolan Smith is also back. And remember, Gonzaga lost to Duke last season 76-41.

Loyola Marymount Lions

Returning starters:  G Vernon Teel, F Drew Viney, G Jarred DuBois, F Ashley Hamilton, C Edgar Garibay (redshirt injury last season)

Key additions: F Godwin Okonji (89), G Anthony Ireland (88)

X-Factor: F Ashley Hamilton

Drew Viney and Vernon Teel make for an imposing one-two punch. Both are versatile and can score in many different ways.

Viney is one that can post up or take the three; Teel will drive to the basket or pull up for his shot. The two averaged a combined 32 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.

With this being their second year playing with each other, look for that chemistry to grow and show on the court.

As we know, it takes more than a one-two punch to win this league. An off-and-on starter last season, Ashley Hamilton showed grit and tenacity under the basket. One of his best games last year was a 17-point, six rebound performance against Gonzaga—the Lions won that game.

Hamilton scored in double figures seven times in his 11 conference games.

He is not afraid to stick his nose into a situation. He could be the difference in conference play and could push them to second if Saint Mary’s gets off to a slow start.

Freshmen Godwin Okonji and Anthony Ireland will add much needed depth to the Lions rotation. Ireland is a more than suitable backup for Teel and will give other guards fits with his speed.

Big games: 12/18 Florida State, 2/19 ESPN BracketBuster

Florida State – This is a big game for the Lions. Florida State faced Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season as a nine seed. The Seminoles return their leading rebounder from last season Chris Singleton; he also was second on the Seminoles in scoring. Another player to watch is Deividas Dulkys, who shot nearly 40 percent from three last year.

ESPN Bracketbuster – Without any marquee names in the preseason schedule, LMU will be hoping for a solid pairing in ESPN’s BracketBuster. They should be top four in WCC play, so they will probably get a good draw.

Next week: Portland Pilots and Pepperdine Waves