BYU Basketball: Cougars picked to finish 3rd in WCC; Yoeli Childs and TJ named to all-conference team

The WCC held its Men’s Basketball media days Thursday morning, and BYU found itself in a familiar position.

BYU was picked to finish 3rd in the preseason WCC coaches’ poll, behind Gonzaga and St Mary’s. Gonzaga received 7 first place votes while the Gaels received 3. Portland received 9 votes, meaning each coach voted them last place.

Yoeli Childs and TJ Haws were both named to the 10-man All-Conference team. Yoeli was a first team selection at the end of last season while TJ was on the second team. The full All-Conference team is below:

Although BYU has arguably the best trio in the conference with seniors Yoeli Childs, TJ Haws and Jake Toolson, the recent news of Gavin Baxter being out for the season with a shoulder injury is a big blow. Baxter was set to make a big jump and is one of the most athletic players in the conference. Without Baxter, BYU will be extremely thin in the frountcourt, especially during the first 9 games without Yoeli.

Gonzaga has only one player on the All-Conference team and is expected to take a small step back, but they bring in a great recruiting class and role players set to make a big jump; e.g., Corey Kispert.

You can get your first glimpse of this year’s team October 23rd for “Midnight Madness.”