BYU Basketball’s Final WCC Preseason Poll As Member Released
Oct 6, 2022, 11:22 AM
BYU basketball was picked to finish third in the WCC preseason poll for the 2022-23 season. (Madi Allpin/BYU Athletics)
(Madi Allpin/BYU Athletics)
LAS VEGASΒ – BYU basketball is preparing for its final year as a member of the West Coast Conference. After the 2022-23 season, BYU will leave the WCC for the Big 12 Conference.
But before they leave for arguably the toughest basketball conference in the nation, they likely want to do some damage in their final year in the WCC.
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The WCC preseason poll was released for the 2022-23 season on Thursday during WCC Media Day. Coaches within the league voted on the poll.
For the 11th consecutive year, Gonzaga has been picked in the preseason to win the WCC. The powerhouse in Spokane had another run to the Sweet 16 a season ago, but they are looking to go even farther this year.
BYU was picked to finish third, along with the San Francisco Dons. Both teams tied for that spot.
The WCC is hosting Media Day for the first time since 2019. It’s being held at The Orleans in Las Vegas, the host of the WCC Tournament every March. BYU basketball coach Mark Pope, who enters his fourth season, was at Media Day along with senior forward Gideon George and sophomore Fousseyni Traore.
Traore was BYU’s lone preseason All-WCC team selection on the 10-man squad. Gonzaga led the way with three All-WCC preseason selections in Drew Timme, Rair Bolton, and Julian Strawther.
BYU opens the 2022-23 season against Idaho State on Monday, November 7 at the Marriott Center.
2022-23 WCC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Gonzaga
2. Saint Mary’s
T-3. BYU
T-3. San Francisco
5. Portland
6. Santa Clara
7. Pepperdine
8. San Diego
9. Loyola Marymount
10. Pacific
All-WCC preseason team
Rasir Bolton, Gonzaga
Alex Ducas, Saint Mary’s
Logan Johnson, Saint Mary’s
Keshawn Justice, Santa Clara
Houston Mallette, Pepperdine
Tyler Robertson, Portland
Khalil Shabazz, San Francisco
Julian Strawther, Gonzaga
Drew Timme, Gonzaga
Fousseyni Traore, BYU
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12β3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter:Β @Mitch_Harper.
