USF has lacked a bit of last season's sharp edge provided by go-to G Malik Thomas (19.9 ppg last season), featuring these days for Virginia. The surprise package in the WCC is Seattle, returning to the loop for the first time in over 40 years and already providing some signature moments, such as the win at Climate Pledge in the local battle vs. U-Dub on December 19 and a win at Stanford on November 21. Many regional observers think the Redhawks might be the second-best team in the loop behind Gonzaga, with the ability to space the floor, ample size with emerging 7-foot soph Austin Maurer (15 ppg last three) and a dynamic presence in G Brayden Maldonado (15.9 ppg; 45.2% triples). Play Seattle