LAS VEGAS – It was an exciting basketball day at the Orleans Arena last March, with some instant classic games and instant classic performances, thrilling the crowded crowd in the audience.
But no one had any idea of the dramatic changes that were to come.
In the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament a year ago, Jordan Ford of Saint Mary (43 points) defeated Colbey Ross of Pepperdine (42 points) in the quarterfinals, on his way to registering two of the top three scores in tournament history WCC.
Then, two days later, in the semifinals, Gonzaga, ranked second in the country, passed San Francisco 81-77. This was followed by Saint Mary’s 51-50 victory over BYU No. 14 on the night of the semifinal, when Ford punched a winning jump 1.4 seconds from the end.
The Zags defeated the Gaels the following night to claim yet another WCC Tournament championship.
A few days later, college basketball, the NCAA Tournament – and apparently the world – were closed due to the pandemic.
In 2020, the WCC was one of the few conferences that completed its tournament. Many other league tournaments, which started later, either ended abruptly or were canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.
“I remember how much we didn’t know and how quickly we started to learn and know what everything meant with COVID-19,” recalled WCC commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “We entered that tournament knowing that. We had protocols. We were in the hyper-cleaning and disinfection mode. But our social detachment was not really a thing yet. We talked about fist bumps instead of handshakes. It wasn’t until the NBA’s cancellation that everything changed. So it’s amazing how much time has passed. I never really imagined that we would have the same conversation until next year’s tournament. “
Here we are, a year later, and the WCC Tournament is back – but in very different circumstances, in an almost completely empty arena.
The conference and its 10 member schools have been planning this event for months to ensure that the WCC Tournament can be played safely. The WCC worked closely with Las Vegas city medical personnel and Clark County officials. The league considered a myriad of contingency plans as the pandemic continued.
It was speculated that Gonzaga, projected as the overall number 1 in the NCAA Tournament, could choose not to play in the WCC Tournament. It was speculated that the tournament might simply not be played.
Ultimately, 19 of the 20 WCC basketball teams (only the San Diego women’s team is not participating due to COVID-19 problems) are in Las Vegas for this year’s tournament.
This time, of course, no fans are allowed in the arena. There are no bands, no cheerleaders, no mascots. The splendor and spectacle that defines the conference tournament does not exist this year.
Unlike other years, famous ESPN analyst Dick Vitale is not wandering the bowels of the Orleans Arena between games. Broadcasters who are on site need to use their “golf” voices during free throws because it is very quiet inside the arena.
There are a limited number of media members available, sitting at the top of the Orleans Arena, about $ 10 a taxi ride from the block.
“We are meeting or exceeding state, local and federal guidelines in all facets of hosting this event,” said IMC spokesman Ryan McCrary. “The WCC protocols and procedures reflect what the teams will experience at the NCAA tournament. By not allowing fans, friends and family to enter the arena, we are further minimizing the risks and making the health and safety of the student-athlete a priority. “
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Nevarez explained why the conference decided not to allow fans this season.
“This is certainly a difficult decision, but it is the decision responsible for the WCC,” she said. “The WCC tournament has been sold out since the event moved to Las Vegas 13 years ago, and we value the passion for fans and the ability of our student-athlete friends and family to support their teams each year. Unfortunately, we live in unprecedented times and we must take unprecedented action.
“The guiding principle in everything we discuss is the health and safety of our participants,” continued Nevarez. “Limiting the number of people inside the Orleans Arena who are not subject to our security protocols and tests helps to provide the safest environment for our tournament to take place. Although Clark County provided the opportunity to have a limited number of spectators at our event, we made this decision to allow us to be in the best position to protect our student-athletes, staff and everyone at our event. “
For teams with hopes of an NCAA Tournament, it is critical to stay healthy to avoid jeopardizing their chances of playing Big Dance due to problems with COVID-19.
BYU coach Mark Pope said that this year’s WCC tournament experience will be “super different” from last year. The Cougars are waiting until Sunday night to travel to Las Vegas before Monday’s semi-final game.
“Our idea is to try to give ourselves the least chance of any outside exposure that we can,” said Pope. “We are going on Sunday night because we have to test at a certain time on Sunday night. So, let’s land, go straight to the test appointment and then go straight to our rooms. We will be quarantined there, except for games and shots. We are taking utmost care. This part is at the bottom, but we clearly feel the reality of missing out on this opportunity last year and we will probably be forever scared of it. Therefore, we are being extremely cautious and trying to take all possible precautions, including making it the most compact and making it the least exposed trip. “
BYU women’s basketball coach Jeff Judkins, the WCC women’s coach of the year, said his team, who also play in the semifinals on Monday, was planning to leave for Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon.
“In the past, we would have gone down Friday night and looked at our opponent. We cannot watch our opponent live. So, we’re going down on Saturday afternoon, ”he said. “We will do our normal things as if we are preparing for a game. On Sunday, we will let them relax and have some kind of Sunday (religious) service. We will do that and keep them busy doing some things as a team. We’re kind of used to it. “
The teams have been sailing the pandemic all season and even since last summer.
“This year, we haven’t been able to go anywhere. We had to stay close, stay at home. That’s why being the Coach of the Year this year is incredible, because of what we had to do – all the teams – to stay on top, ”said Judkins. “You had to stay with your players to be careful with COVID-19. But I think we’re used to it. We are better prepared for that. This is a big part of coaching. It is not always the Xs and Os, but it is all the other things you are trying to do. But I have a very good team with very good leadership. They want to win. … We will have to be careful with (the virus). We can take a walk around the hotel. I do not know. We’ll see what we can do. “
Regardless of the outcome of the WCC Tournament, it promises to be very different from last year’s version – and any other tournament that preceded it.