WCC Announces No Fans Will Be Allowed To Attend Conference Tournament
Feb 23, 2021, 11:53 AM | Updated: 12:30 pm
WCC logo located within in the paint on BYU Basketball Marriott Center Floor. Saturday, February 22nd, 2020. (Photo: Mitch Harper, sports.ksl.com)
(Photo: Mitch Harper, sports.ksl.com)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The West Coast Conference announced that its upcoming men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be held without any spectators in attendance.
When announcing the decision on Tuesday, February 23, the WCC said the decision was due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“This is certainly a difficult decision, but it is the responsible decision for the WCC,” West Coast Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said. “The WCC Tournament has been sold out ever since the event was moved to Las Vegas 13 years ago and we value the passionate fan bases and the ability of friends and families of our student-athletes to support their teams each year. Unfortunately, we are in unprecedented times and we must take unprecedented measures.
The 2021 WCC Tournament will have no fans at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Tourney runs from March 4-9.#WCChoops #BYU #BYUHoops @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 23, 2021
The tourney will take place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will run from March 4 until the title game on March 9.
The 2021 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament will be held without spectators.
🗒: https://t.co/TjtSSe0R2v pic.twitter.com/66iPqqCgmU
— West Coast Conference (@WCCsports) February 23, 2021
The big question now, will every team be participating in the WCC Tournament? There have been reports that BYU and Gonzaga have considered opting out. But as BYU head coach Mark Pope said last week, “We’re kind of taking this thing minute-by-minute. That’s why it’s a little bit silly for anyone to imagine they can set anything in stone right now.”
Last season, BYU advanced to the Semifinals of the WCC Tournament before falling to Saint Mary’s, 51-50.
The Cougars, who are 17-5 overall this season, and 8-3 in WCC play host San Francisco and Saint Mary’s this Thursday and Saturday respectively in front of a limited number of fans at the Marriott Center.
WCC Tournament seeding according to Ken Pomeroy Adjusted Win Percentage
1. Gonzaga – 0.960 (13-0 in WCC play)
2. BYU – 0.801 (8-3)
3. Pepperdine – 0.697 (6-4)
4. LMU – 0.493 (6-4)
5. Saint Mary’s – 0.486 (2-5)
6. Pacific – 0.485 (4-6)
7. Santa Clara – 0.451 (4-4)
8. San Francisco – 0.332 (4-7)
9. San Diego – 0.281 (2-5)
10. Portland – 0.008 (0-11)
