WCC

No controversy here. Top-ranked Gonzaga is a No. 1 seed for the first time in school history.

The Bulldogs (31-2) were the top seed in the West Region when the brackets for the NCAA tournament were released on Sunday. The Bulldogs will open the tournament on Thursday in Salt Lake City against No. 16 seed Southern (23-9) in the second round.

Earning a No. 1 seed adds another first in a season of new accomplishments for Gonzaga. They enter the tournament with 31 wins, the most in school history. The No. 1 ranking in the AP poll was another first for the Bulldogs and they now have a paved path to the Final Four where they don’t have to leave the West Coast.

SPOKANE, Wash. — The to-do list for the Gonzaga basketball team got shorter Monday: For the first time, the Zags were ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Sweet, but it may get bumpier from there.

Next: Avoiding the potholes that have stopped every other No. 1 this season, then finding a way to the Final Four.

“We don’t believe there is any jinx,” assistant coach Tommy Lloyd said, subbing for coach Mark Few, who was said to be fly fishing and unavailable for comment. “Obviously, it’s a dream for us, the ultimate accomplishment.”

PROVO -- Brigham Young took No. 2 Gonzaga down to the wire Thursday night. The close call may not be enough to get the Cougars an NCAA tournament bid.

“I think they’ll have to win our tournament now,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said, referring to next week’s West Coast Conference tournament in Las Vegas. “But they’re more than capable of doing that.”

Kelly Olynyk scored 19 points and Gary Bell Jr. hit four 3-pointers for the Bulldogs (28-2, 15-0 WCC), who host Portland on Saturday and a win there could mean Gonzaga’s first-ever No. 1 ranking.

MORAGA, Calif. — Matthew Dellavedova was a thorn in BYU's side for the second time this season, scoring 20 points as Saint Mary's defeated the Cougars 64-57 Thursday night in West Coast Conference action.

Dellavedova, who hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to give the Gaels a 70-69 victory over BYU on Jan. 16, was 6 for 14 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and hit 5 of 6 free throws.

MALIBU, Calif. — Matt Carlino hit two free throws and a big 3-pointer in the final 63 seconds, giving BYU a 63-61 victory over Pepperdine on Thursday night.

The Cougars trailed 59-58 after Jordan Baker hit a 3-pointer for Pepperdine with 1:12 remaining. Carlino's free throws with 1:03 left put BYU ahead for good. After a Waves miss, BYU ran down the shot clock and Carlino made a fall-away 3-pointer at the top of the circle to put the Cougars ahead 63-59 with 14 seconds left.

SPOKANE, Wash. —Kelly Olynyk was nearly perfect for No. 10 Gonzaga against BYU on Thursday night.

Olynyk scored 26 points on 9-for-9 shooting from the field and 8-for-8 on free throws, and had nine rebounds and five assists as Gonzaga routed BYU 83-63 in a showdown for first place in the West Coast Conference.