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WCC Tournament Kicks Off with Early Matchups

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, March 5th 2026 at 7:02 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, UNITED STATES

Tournament Overview & Early Matchups

The tournament kicked off with a series of first-round matchups on Wednesday. Top-seeded Gonzaga faced off against eighth-seeded Pacific at 5:30 p.m. ET, while second-seeded Saint Mary's took on seventh-seeded San Diego at 8 p.m. ET. Earlier in the day, third-seeded Pepperdine battled sixth-seeded Santa Clara at 2:30 p.m. ET, and fourth-seeded San Francisco clashed with fifth-seeded Loyola Marymount at 5 p.m. ET.

These opening games set the stage for a thrilling few days of basketball. Gonzaga, despite a slightly more challenging regular season than in years past, remains the team to beat. Their experienced core and established coaching staff under Mark Few continue to make them a formidable opponent. However, Saint Mary's, led by a strong defensive unit and efficient offensive players, has proven to be a legitimate contender, consistently challenging Gonzaga throughout the regular season.

Bracket Breakdown & Key Storylines

The bracket pits the top four seeds against the winners of the first-round games. Thursday night will see the winners of Gonzaga/Pacific and Saint Mary's/San Diego square off in a highly anticipated matchup. The other side of the bracket features the winners of Pepperdine/Santa Clara and San Francisco/Loyola Marymount battling for a spot in the semifinals.

Pepperdine's emergence as a top-three seed is one of the biggest storylines of the tournament. After years of rebuilding, the Waves have demonstrated significant improvement, boasting a balanced attack and a tenacious defense. Can they upset the established powers and make a deep tournament run? Similarly, San Francisco, with its exciting style of play and talented guards, is poised to make some noise.

The Path to the Championship The semifinals, scheduled for Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET and 11:30 p.m. ET, will determine the two teams vying for the championship. Gonzaga's path, while seemingly straightforward, will be anything but easy. Saint Mary's is a particularly tough matchup for the Bulldogs, consistently exploiting any weaknesses in their game. Pepperdine, if they continue their strong play, could present a significant challenge as well.

Saint Mary's will be looking to replicate their regular season success against Gonzaga and finally break through to secure their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2017. They will need to rely on their defensive prowess and disciplined offense to contain Gonzaga's high-scoring attack. Pepperdine, on the other hand, will need to continue their all-around balanced play to advance to the championship game. A strong showing from their frontcourt players will be crucial.

How to Catch the Action

Fans can follow all the excitement of the WCC Tournament on ESPNU and ESPN+. ESPN+ will provide comprehensive coverage, including live streaming of all games. This accessibility ensures that fans across the country can witness the intensity and drama of the tournament. Beyond television and streaming, many fans are expected to converge on Las Vegas, creating a lively atmosphere within the Orleans Arena.

Looking Ahead: NCAA Tournament Implications The WCC Tournament winner will automatically receive the conference's bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. While Gonzaga is virtually guaranteed a bid regardless of the tournament outcome, the other teams are all fighting for an opportunity to represent the WCC on the national stage. A strong showing in the tournament could significantly improve their seeding and chances of making a deep run in March Madness. The tournament is not just about winning a championship; it's about securing a legacy and making a statement on the national stage.