First WAC Hoops Power Rankings of 2025
Happy New Year! Let the debating begin
Happy New Year, everyone!
Hopefully, you all stayed safe. Our hearts go out to those impacted in New Orleans, and elsewhere that tragedies happened. It is extremely unfortunate and sad.
However, there is some good news on the horizon.
WAC play begins on Saturday. Yep, four games, eight teams, and some pretty intriguing matchups based off storylines from 2023-24.
We will talk more about that on Straight Outta WAC After Hours on Thursday night so be sure to check in.
For now, it is time for the first power rankings of 2025. There will be a lot of debate around these, which is what we love.
Just remember a few things.
First, these aren’t based off standings.
Second, they are super subjective.
Third, the WAC is wildly balanced after perhaps GCU.
So, let’s get to what my perceived Power Rankings are prior to WAC play beginning.
1 - Grand Canyon
Are the Lopes back? Against Bryant on Dec. 30, the Lopes sure looked to be. GCU scored 112 points in the win, Makaih Williams finally put his stamp on his decision to transfer from UT Arlington to GCU in the offseason, and the Lopes won by 46.
The shooting is still a question mark. However, getting a dominant win ahead of WAC play beginning is big. The Lopes looked like the team many of us thought they would be coming into the 2024-25 season.
GCU starts WAC play at home on Saturday against Southern Utah before heading North to take on Utah Valley in Orem. Big question is can the Lopes shoot away from GCU Arena?
2 - California Baptist
Dom Daniels Jr. is about as good as they come not just in the WAC but in the country. Daniels Jr. is third in total points, sixth in points per game, ninth in field goals made, and 16th in free throws made.
Add in Kendal Coleman and you have a pretty dynamic duo. The Lancers swept a pair of games against Fresno State, nearly knocked off SMU, and went toe-to-toe at San Diego State.
The main issue is winning games the Lancers should win by comfortable margins. CBU had to hold off winless Jackson State, and lost at home to both UC Riverside and Northern Colorado. The Lancers need to put teams away rather than letting them hang around.
Big test on Saturday to open WAC play when Seattle U comes to town. Can the Lancers get some payback for a couple of heartbreaking losses to the Redhawks in 2023-24?
3 - Utah Valley
There are two questions that will surround the Wolverines night in and night out.
First - is Carter Welling healthy?
Second - can the Wolverines make shots from the perimeter tonight?
Let’s address the first question. Carter Welling is 6’10 and has been so good for the Wolverines. But, Welling also gets banged up…A LOT! If Welling misses any time due to an injury, the Wolverines will be in big trouble because they don’t have anyone over 6-8 after Welling.
Regarding the second question, Utah Valley hasn’t made more than six 3-pointers away from the UCCU Center this season. However, at the UCCU Center, Utah Valley has hit double-digit 3-pointers in every game on its home floor.
Do you understand those two questions now?
The Wolverines open WAC play at home vs. ACU on Saturday before hosting GCU next Thursday and CBU next Saturday.
4 - UT Arlington
Lance Ware. Remember that name. It will be a name in the mix for the WAC Player of the Year award.
That is…if UT Arlington can knock down shots from the perimeter consistently throughout WAC play.
As many have seen in non-conference play, the Mavs live by the three and die by the three.
UT Arlington opens WAC play at Tarleton on Saturday before a trip to Utah Tech and Southern Utah next weekend.
5 - Southern Utah
Jamir Simpson is a baller. Rob Jeter has some dogs. And Southern Utah should be much improved during WAC play in 2025.
I say ‘should’ because the T-Birds are an interesting lot. Yes, they have eight wins, and went toe-to-toe with Loyola Chicago. But then UCLA happened. And a few weeks later, heading into the new year, SUU is on a 4-game losing streak entering WAC play.
Health has a little to do with it as Hercy Miller and Tavi Jackson have both missed time.
SUU will pose a problem. But, to play GCU twice within a 2-week span, and host UT Arlington, Tarleton, and go to Seattle U in between is a tall task to snap out of that 4-game losing streak.
6 - Seattle U
Yes, the win at UW was awesome. Dominant might be a better word considering the Redhawks led start to finish.
Problem is Seattle U followed that up with a wild home loss at the Redhawk Center against Nicholls State.
How wild? Well, Seattle U led by three with 33 seconds left. Out of a timeout, the Redhawks turned the ball over, then fouled a 3-point shooter with 11 seconds remaining. Nicholls State hit all three free throws, but the Redhawks had a chance. However, Paris Dawson was stripped with five seconds to play, and Nicholls State got a layup on the other end with one second remaining.
Ball game.
Can this Seattle U team be good? Yes. John Christofilis and Company have talent. Now, it is a matter of consistency. And it all starts at CBU on Saturday.
7 - Tarleton
Let’s be real.
This ranking isn’t really fair to the Texans simply due to the fact they haven’t had a healthy roster yet. Freddy Hicks still hasn’t played a minute. Plus, the Texans had arguably the toughest non-conference schedule among WAC teams.
Bubu Benjamin has stepped up in a leadership role, and Billy Gillispie’s team has gotten better over the first two months. That is exactly what you want. The Texans will move up on this list. Tarleton hosts UT Arlington on Saturday in the WAC opener.
8 - ACU
If you watched ACU play on New Year’s Eve against rival SFA, you saw a very glaring issue…the guard play. If Hunter Jack Madden isn’t hitting outside shots, ACU is in trouble.
Leo Bettiol is one of the best players in the WAC. Bettiol had 27 points in the loss to SFA. But it is the guard line, something ACU has struggled with since the departure Damien Daniels two years ago.
If ACU can’t get more production out of the guard line, it may be a long conference season for the Wildcats who open WAC play at Utah Valley on Saturday.
9 - Utah Tech
What is there to say about the Trailblazers? Noa Gonsalves and Beon Riley have been really good. The Trailblazers lack a true dominant big like they had in Tanner Christensen the past two years. And, there is a lot of inconsistency surrounding Gonsalves and Riley.
Spoiler might be the best word to describe Utah Tech as that has been the Trailblazers role since joining the WAC.
The big question is when will Utah Tech get a full-time President so the fundraising, and NIL pitches can begin? Until that happens, Utah Tech will be middle to low on the totem pole in the WAC.