IRVINE, Calif. — The Pac_west Tournament begins today. Here is a quick look at what to expect:
PACIFIC WEST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW — Quarterfinals
GAME 1: #6-Seed Hawaii Pacific University v. #3-Seed California Baptist University
Game time: 4:00 Pacific Time
Winner plays #2-Seed Azusa Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University (16-10)
Probable Starters-Luke Hager (6’8 F, 16.2 PPG), Justin Long (6’0 G, 13.8 PPG), Darry Jones Jr. (6’2 G, 10.4 PPG), Colfax Nordquist (6’3 F, 4.6 PPG), Clayton Guy (6’6 F, 4.0 PPG). Other Key Players-Josh Morgan (6’2 G, 4.0 PPG), Connor Looney (6’2 G, 3.9 PPG), Rema Lascelles (6’6 F, 1.5 PPG)
Scoring Offense: 66.5 Scoring Defense: 65.9
California Baptist University (22-5)
Probable Starters-Gelaun Wheelwright (6’2 G, 15.8 PPG), Taj Spencer (6’7 F, 11.9 PPG), Michael Smith (6’4 G, 11.6 PPG), Trevone Williams (6’6 F, 7.5 PPG), Chris Brown (6’1 G, 6.5 PPG). Other Key Players-Ryan Berg (6’2 G, 12.4 PPG), Jordan Giusti (6’2 G, 5.2 PPG), Elvidas Petrulis (6’7 F, 5.9 PPG), Eric Nelson (6’7 F, 2.7 PPG)
Scoring Offense: 79.4 Scoring Defense: 68.2
Outlook: These teams met only once during the regular season, a 64-50 pasting by the Lancers on HPU’s homecourt. Wheelwright scored 24 points and Michael Smith added 12. They were playing without last year’s PACWEST player of the year Ryan Berg due to injury. When CBU is healthy and playing at its highest level they are tough to beat. CBU should advance easily. Prediction: Cal Baptist 75 Hawaii Pacific 65.
GAME 2: #5-Seed Point Loma Nazarene University v. #4-Seed Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Gametime: 6:15 Pacific Time
Winner Plays #1-Seed Dixie State University
Point Loma Nazarene University (21-7)
Probable Starters-Junior Morgan (6’7 F, 12.0 PPG), Hayden Lescault (6’5 G, 12.0 PPG), Marek Klassen (6.1 G, 11.1 PPG), Sam Okhotin (6’5 F, 10.9 PPG), Judd Welfringer (6’4 G, 8.5 PPG). Other Key Players-Zach Burnham (6’7 F, 6.3 PPG), Randall Jackson (6’3 G, 4.8 PPG), Mike Planeta (6’3 G, 3.7 PPG)
Scoring Offense: 71.6 Scoring Defense: 63.3
Brigham Young University-Hawaii (21-5)
Probable Starters-Pablo Coro (6’3 G,16.2 PPG), Daniel Berger (6’8 F, 14.0 PPG), Scott Friel (6’5 F, 11.6 PPG), Jordan Stone (6’10 C, 9.5 PPG), Robbie Mitchell (5’9 G, 4.5 PPG). Other Key Players-Ian Harward (C, 8.2 PPG), Luke Aston (6’7 F, 7.9 PPG), Cory Lange (G, 6.6 PPG), Tyler Tuliau (6’5 F, 4.6 PPG), Justin Yamzon (5’7 G, 4.4 PPG)
Scoring Offense: 88.9 Scoring Defense: 75.3
Outlook: These teams also only met once. The Seasiders lost to PLNU on the mainland in the middle of a 3-game losing streak against three conference tournament teams. Point Loma has the best non-conference resume of any team in the tournament. But the Sea Lions also have all seven of their losses against conference tournament teams. BYU-H was dominant at home (13-1) but lackluster (4-3) on the mainland. They lost to a much smaller PLNU team 85-82 despite outrebounding them by double digits. They also had a 10-point lead with just over three minutes to play before PLNU ended the game on a 13-0 run. If BYU-H plays defense, they win. Prediction: BYU-Hawaii 78, Point Loma 74.
See the Conference tournament semifinals preview tomorrow.
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