Idaho (17-7, 10-0)
The Vandal women’s basketball team has been challenged, but fortunately for Idaho, its unscathed conference record remains intact. Coming out of a brutal road trip to Las Cruces, N.M., and Edinburg, Texas, this upcoming home spell will be a nice change of pace for a team that could all but wrap up the regular season title by beating Cal State-Bakersfield Thursday.
Theo Lawson | Argonaut
Cal State-Bakersfield (13-8, 7-2)
On a respectable streak of their own, the Roadrunners have won five straight games, including Saturday’s 77-70 victory over Grand Canyon at home. But if Bakersfield has any intention of challenging Idaho for the regular-season title, Thursday’s test in the Cowan Spectrum is a must-win game. The Vandals won by 27 points when the two met in California.
Seattle U (11-12, 6-4)
It looks as though the chance at back-to-back regular season titles is slipping out of reach for a slumping Seattle team. The Redhawks have lost two of their last three, and bit on the road Saturday at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M. The Aggies’ Danesia Williamson dropped 36 points on Seattle, who will still be a top contender come conference tournament time.
Grand Canyon (16-7, 5-5)
The ‘Lopes had lost just two games out of conference, yet the Western Athletic Conference hasn’t been as nice to GCU, which moved to .500 with a loss to Bakersifeld. This team plays four of its last six conference games at home though, and with at least four more conference wins, a top three finish could be realistic for these Antelopes.
Texas-Pan American (11-12, 5-5)
With a loss to Idaho Saturday, the Broncs join Grand Canyon and New Mexico State in a three-way tie for fourth place. Expect UTPA to move a few games ahead of .500, as the Broncs meet Chicago State and Missouri-Kansas City next — teams that have combined to win just four conference games.
New Mexico State (8-15, 5-5)
The Aggies surprised most by beating the defending WAC regular season champions, Seattle U, and with the same road trip as UTPA on tap, NMSU will be expected to challenge both the Redhawks and Antelopes for a top-four spot. Williamson’s 36 was a career-high and the redshirt sophomore, who now has four 30-point games this season, will need to replicate Saturday’s performance a few more times should NMSU claim a top-four seed.
Missouri-Kansas City (8-14, 4-5)
When the Kangaroos handed Chicago State an 84-52 loss Saturday, it proved just how big the gap between seven and eight is in this new-look WAC. UMKC, at 4-5, has the potential to move up and will be challenging the trio of 5-5 teams for a top-four seed. New Mexico State and Texas-Pan American are next for the ‘Roos, who could jump up as high as fourth place with a pair of wins.
Utah Valley (4-18, 1-8)
Utah Valley likes its chances against Chicago State — who provided the Wolverines with their only conference win. The team hasn’t had the same luck elsewhere in the WAC, although the Wolverines have come close on a few occasions. Utah Valley went into overtime with New Mexico State, lost by three to Grand Canyon and by two to Bakersfield.
Chicago State (3-19, 0-9)
A ninth-place finish appears unavoidable for the conference’s worst team. The Cougars haven’t won a basketball game since Jan. 8 and haven’t come within 20 points in a WAC contest.