The 2025 West Coast Conference (WCC) Men’s Basketball Tournament returns to the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, a venue choice maintained since 2009. Featuring 11 teams, this year’s tournament sees the inclusion of associate members Oregon State and Washington State. With BYU’s transition to the Big 12, the tournament structure has reintroduced Sunday games, promising an exciting lineup.
Tournament Format and Schedule:
This year’s event follows a stepladder format, kicking off with lower-seeded teams. Noteworthy results and upcoming games include:
- First Round (March 7):
- San Diego (11) narrowly defeated Pacific (10) with a score of 81-77.
- Second Round (March 7):
- Pepperdine (9) overcame Portland (8) with an 86-73 victory.
- Loyola Marymount (7) delivered a dominant performance against San Diego (11), scoring over 100 points.
- Third Round (March 8 – streamed on ESPN+):
- Pepperdine (9) goes against Oregon State (5) at 9 PM, where Oregon State leads historically.
- Loyola Marymount (7) faces Washington State (6) at 11:30 PM. Washington State won their last encounter.
- Quarterfinals (March 9 – on ESPN2):
- Game 4 winner vs. Santa Clara (4) at 8:30 PM.
- Game 5 winner vs. San Francisco (3) at 11 PM.
- Semifinals (March 10 – on ESPN and ESPN2):
- Game 6 winner vs. Saint Mary’s (1) at 9 PM.
- Game 7 winner meets Gonzaga (2) at 11:30 PM.
- Championship (March 11 – on ESPN):
- The semifinal victors will face off at 9 PM.
Dominance in WCC Tournament History:
Historically, the No. 1 or 2 seeds often emerge as champions since 2009. Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s are the most frequent victors, with Gonzaga claiming 11 titles and Saint Mary’s securing three.
NCAA Tournament Prospects:
Gonzaga consistently secures high seeds in the NCAA Tournament, often landing in the top four. Saint Mary’s has also maintained strong placements, achieving 5 seeds over the past three years. An unexpected winner could potentially secure an 11 or 12 seed as the tournament unfolds.
Recent NCAA Appearances:
- In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Gonzaga advanced to the Sweet 16 as a 5 seed, while Saint Mary’s exited in the First Round as a 5 seed.
- Washington State, a recent Pac-12 transfer, reached the 2nd round in 2024, and Oregon State, another transfer, advanced to the Elite Eight in 2021.
Other NCAA Appearances:
- San Francisco entered as a 10 seed in 2022.
- Historical appearances by Pacific, San Diego, and Pepperdine span several decades.
This examination of the 2025 WCC Men’s Basketball Tournament highlights traditional leaders, emerging narratives, and the dynamic excitement underpinned by historical insights and significant stakes.
