Preview: Gonzaga Set to Face Santa Clara in WCC Tournament Semifinals LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs, the West Coast Conference’s regular-season champion, will face a formidable test from the fourth-seeded Santa Clara Broncos in the tournament semifinals at Orleans Arena on Tuesday night. Gonzaga (29-3), ranked nationally, enters as a heavy favorite, but Santa Clara (26-7) brings momentum from an upset victory over Saint Mary’s in the quarterfinals and has proven it can challenge the league’s standard-bearer. The Bulldogs, who have won 12 of their last 13 games, are led by star forward Graham Ike. He has been dominant, averaging 21.7 points over his last seven games. Ike scored 21 points with four assists in Gonzaga’s 94-86 win at Santa Clara on Feb. 14, one of two regular-season victories over the Broncos. In the teams’ other meeting, a Gonzaga 89-77 home win on Jan. 8, Ike contributed 17 points. Santa Clara, however, arrives with confidence after snapping a 17-game losing streak to Saint Mary’s with a 76-71 quarterfinal win Monday. The Broncos have won seven of their last eight games, with the only loss in that stretch coming against Gonzaga last month. Their high-powered offense, which has scored 90 or more points nine times this season, ensures they are not intimidated by a shootout. The Bulldogs’ path to the semifinal was more grinding, a 65-56 defensive battle against Oregon State on Monday. Gonzaga’s three losses this season have all come by 11 points or fewer, and its only conference defeat was a 70-59 setback at Saint Mary’s on Feb. 28. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Gonzaga holds an 80.7% probability to win. Yet, tournament play in a neutral Las Vegas setting introduces a volatile element. Santa Clara, seeking its first WCC tournament title since 1993, has the offensive firepower to make this a classic if it can find consistent stops against Ike and the efficient Bulldogs’ attack. Tuesday’s winner will advance to the WCC tournament championship game on Wednesday, with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. PDT.