Pepperdine, WCC Holding Court

Pepperdine (6-2) isn’t the only West Coast Conference men’s basketball team off to a fast start.

San Francisco is 7-1 and has won seven in a row for the first time in Coach Phil Mathews’ five-year tenure. The Dons defeated Rhode Island, 94-88, Tuesday for their most recent victory, shooting 65% from the field.

Defending champion Gonzaga opened with four victories, lost to No. 17 Temple and top-ranked Cincinnati before shocking No. 18 UCLA, 59-43. It was the first victory by a WCC team at Pauley Pavilion in 15 years.

Gonzaga, which moved to No. 22 after the victory, beat Washington, 76-66, Monday to improve to 6-2.

Santa Clara (5-3) had a three-game winning streak snapped at Fresno State, 95-67. San Diego (4-3) lost at No. 10 Texas, 76-66, after winning two in a row.

Pepperdine is idle this week because players are focusing on final exams. The Waves, who have won three in a row, will be severely challenged next week at the San Juan Shootout.

“We have a chance to help ourselves from a national perspective by playing well,” Coach Jan van Breda Kolff said.

One obstacle might be adjusting to the time change. The Waves’ first-round game against Detroit is at 8 a.m. PST.

Detroit is 5-2 and has advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament the last two seasons, upsetting St. John’s in 1998 and UCLA last season.

“Detriot has made a name for itself the past few seasons with sound defensive play,” van Breda Kolff said.