Week ahead

EWU Eagles

Friday: at No. 11 Washington,

7 p.m.

Monday: vs. No. 10 Gonzaga at Arena, 5 p.m. (KHQ-TV)

Outlook: The young Eagles have showed flashes of brilliance and the ability to learn from their mistakes. They have won three straight after losing three straight at the Great Alaska Shootout. They’ll need to avoid all mistakes and play consistently in the next two games to have a chance. Eastern is 1-8 all-time against nationally ranked teams, which includes three losses last year. The Eags fell to the UW Huskies 89-56 last year then lost to GU (83-70) and Arizona (79-45) in back-to-back games. UW started the season unranked but is off to an 8-0 start. The Huskies have played seven games at home, running their home streak to 29, the longest in the nation. They also lead the country in scoring (96.4) and winning margin (26.5).

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Saturday: vs. Virginia, 5 p.m., McCarthey Athletic Center (KHQ-TV)

Monday: vs. Eastern Washington, 5 p.m., Arena (KHQ-TV)

Outlook: The Bulldogs (6-2) return their focus to the basketball court following finals week, with coach Mark Few hoping to get a couple of key players back in the lineup. Junior point guard Derek Raivio, who missed the last two games with a bruised back and hip, should be ready for Saturday’s game against Virginia (3-3), and there is a slim possibility senior forward Erroll Knight, who has yet to play this season because of soreness and infection in his left knee, could log a few minutes against EWU on Monday. Virginia is coming off a 62-60 home loss to Fordham, but the Cavaliers played that game without freshman guard and leading scorer Sean Singletary (17.2 ppg), who was injured but is expected back for Saturday’s game against the Bulldogs. Eastern has lost 19 straight to the Zags.

Idaho Vandals

Saturday: vs. Eastern Oregon, 2:05 p.m.

Outlook: The NAIA Mountaineers (5-3) are coming off a 101-78 exhibition loss to Western Washington. Second-year head coach Ryan Looney is a Central Valley High graduate and ex-North Idaho College assistant. Eastern Oregon’s roster includes three Spokane products – forward Kyle Janke (West Valley High/Community Colleges of Spokane), guard Jeremy Templeton (Ferris) and forward Derek Brown (Mt. Spokane). The Vandals (1-6) have used four different starting lineups and continue to struggle to generate points in the paint. Forwards Mike Kale, Desmond Nwoke, Igor Vrzina and Aaron Smith were a combined 0 for 10 in a loss to Portland State.

WSU Cougars

Saturday: vs. Portland, 2 p.m.

Outlook: The Cougars should be well-rested after having the full week off from games for finals. Their last time out, WSU won its sole non-conference game outside the state of Washington with a 60-49 victory at San Diego State. Power forward Robbie Cowgill appears to be back at full strength after missing the start of the season with an injury. He and Derrick Low are looking like WSU’s top offensive threats, as expected. The Cougars won at Portland 55-54 last season and the Pilots return top scorer Pooh Jeter, a two-time All-WCC pick at guard.