Today’s Games

WEST COAST CONFERENCE MEN’S TOURNAMENT

at Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego

* No. 2-seeded Pepperdine (20-7) vs. No. 7 Portland (11-16), noon--The Waves open the WCC tournament against an opponent they defeated twice in the regular season by a total of 52 points. If Pepperdine hopes to make the NCAA tournament for a second consecutive season, it probably must win this tournament. An at-large bid is unlikely because of nonconference losses to USC, Utah, Georgia, Nevada Las Vegas and Indiana. Pepperdine last won the WCC tournament in 1994. The Waves’ pressure defense produces 10 steals a game and helps force 19.4 turnovers. Guard Brandon Armstrong, the WCC’s leading scorer at 22 points a game, and forward Kelvin Gibbs, who averages 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds, were all-conference picks. Sophomore Tim Frost averages 14.7 points and 6.9 rebounds for Portland.

* No. 1 Gonzaga (21-6) vs. No. 8 St. Mary’s (2-25), 30 minutes after Pepperdine-Portland

* No. 3 Santa Clara (18-11) vs. No. 6 Loyola Marymount (9-18) at San Diego, 6--The Lions have improved significantly in Steve Aggers’ first season as coach, but face a team on a tear. Santa Clara rebounded from an 8-7 start and has won four in a row. Transfer forward Steve Ross led the Broncos in scoring in four of the last six games and had 22 points in a victory over Gonzaga. Senior guard Brian Jones needs five assists to break the school record set by Steve Nash. Loyola lost to Santa Clara by eight points in each of their two regular-season meetings. Robert Davis, Elton Mashack and Greg Lakey each average about 11 points for the Lions, who won five WCC games after going winless in conference play last season.

* No. 4 San Diego (15-12) vs. No. 5 San Francisco (12-16), 30 minutes after Santa Clara-Loyola Marymount