PROVO, Utah-Thursday, at the advent of the  release of the West Coast Conference men’s basketball preseason poll, BYU was selected to finish second in the conference standings.

The overwhelming top selection was perennial national power Gonzaga.

The Bulldogs, who have been linked to rumors of joining the prestigious Big East Conference, received 81 points, including nine first-place votes.

The Cougars received one first place vote and 72 points overall.

The Cougars, who were 20-7 and 10-3 in WCC play last season, return eight players from the 2020-21 roster.

BYU also boasts nine newcomers who will be vying for playing time under head coach Mark Pope.

The Cougars are represented on the all-WCC preseason team by senior guard Alex Barcello and sophomore forward Caleb Lohner.

BYU hosts NCAA Division II foe Colorado College November 4 in an exhibition at the Marriott Center. The regular season commences November 9 as the Cougars host the Cleveland State Vikings of the Horizon League.

The rest of the WCC preseason predictions are as follows:

3. Saint Mary’s (63 points)

4. Loyola Marymount (56 points)

5. San Francisco (49 points)

6. Santa Clara (45 points)

7. Pepperdine (31 points)

8. Pacific (24 points)

9. San Diego (20 points)

10. Portland (9 points)