Here is a team-by-team look at men's college basketball in the West Coast Conference in their predicted order of finish:

Gonzaga
Coach: Mark Few, 10th year
Last year's record: 25-8 overall, 13-1 conference
Returning starters: 3
Outlook: Gonzaga looks to be in a familiar position as the clear favorite in this conference, as has often been the case under Mark Few. The Bulldogs return a great playmaker and scorer in point guard Jeremy Pargo who, like Blake Stepp and others before him, seems to have been at the school forever. Solid shooting guard Matt Bouldin returns and injury- and trouble-prone center Josh Heytvelt, if he can avoid finding trouble, will be the most athletic big man in the conference. Zags went a mediocre 17-16 ATS last year.

Saint Mary's
Coach: Randy Bennett, eighth year
Last year's record: 25-7, 12-2
Returning starters: 4
Outlook: Bennett has built a consistent winner at Saint Mary's, and his Gaels return four starters from a club that challenged for the WCC title last year. Imported point guard Patrick Mills made the biggest difference, averaging 14.8 points and 3.5 assists per game and becoming their bonafide go-to guy. Four non-starters who saw significant action also return, led by guard Wayne Hunter (8.8 ppg). Gaels went 8-5 ATS at home last season.

San Diego
Coach: Bill Grier, second year
Last year's record: 22-14, 11-3
Returning starters: 5
Outlook: Grier, a disciple of Few at Gonzaga and former assistant there, gave the San Diego fans plenty to get excited about last year when his team exceeded expectations and ultimately beat his former club in the WCC Tournament finale. The Toreros then sprung a first-round NCAA upset over Connecticut. With a full year under their belts, the club returns all five starters and are sparked by high-scoring guard Brandon Johnson (17 ppg) and forward Gyno Pomare (14.1 ppg). San Diego posted a 10-3 ATS mark on the road last season.

Santa Clara
Coach: Kerry Keating, second year
Last year's record: 15-16, 6-8
Returning starters: 3
Outlook: Center John Bryant, a 6-10, 300-pounder, turned into the conference's dominant big man last year, posting 18 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He and forward Ben Dowdell provide the strength of this team, which prefers a plodding, half-court style. Cloud hung over program last year because of the forced departure of longtime coach Dick Davey, but now the Broncos need to move forward.

San Francisco
Coach: Rex Walters, first season
Last year's record: 10-21, 5-9
Returning starters: 3
Outlook: USF is still reeling after the mid-season firing of Jessie Evans and naming of Eddie Sutton as a temporary replacement. The publicity stunt backfired; Sutton got his 800th win (eventually) but the move was so transparent that USF was roundly and justifiably criticized for how it treated Evans. Now, former Kansas star and Bay Area native Rex Walters has to pick up the pieces. The good news is, Dior Lowhorn, a Texas Tech transfer who led the WCC in scoring last year (20.5 ppg) returns, as does guard Manny Quezada (13.9 ppg).

Pepperdine
Coach: Tom Asbury, first year
Last year's record: 11-21, 4-10
Returning starters: 3
Outlook: Pepperdine is also in rebuilding mode after former coach Vance Walberg left the team in shambles with his mid-season departure last year, taking three key players with him. They actually improved under interim coach Eric Bridgeland, then the school returned to its all-time winningest coach to take over. Asbury went 125-59 in six years at Pepperdine before moving on. He has a daunting rebuilding project ahead of him.

Portland
Coach: Eric Reveno, third year
Last year's record: 9-21, 3-11
Returning starters: 4
Outlook: Despite returning four starters, the Pilots still have no seniors in their starting lineup. Guard Nik Raivio leads the way with 12.7 points per game. He is the brother of former Gonzaga star Derek Raivio. Freshman John Hegarty, at 7-foot-1 and 365 pounds, adds a presence in the middle. Reveno could be in trouble if the Pilots don't show improvement.

Loyola Marymount
Coach: Bill Bayno, first year
Last year's record: 5-26, 2-12
Returning starters: 3
Outlook: One of many WCC programs in turmoil, Loyola Marymount started the rebuilding process with a nice hire in Bill Bayno, the former UNLV head coach who has a 94-64 career record. Although three starters returned, five players transferred after the departure of former coach Rodney Tention, and forward Tim Diedrichs is the most prolific returnee at 8.2 points per game. Don't expect much form the Lions in Bayno's first season.