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GU faces Portland in WCC return

S-R file photo Zags' Micah Downs takes it to Pilots in last year's game at GU. (S-R file photo / The Spokesman-Review)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585
S-R file photo Zags' Micah Downs takes it to Pilots in last year's game at GU. (S-R file photo / The Spokesman-Review)

The Memphis game is over.

That’s probably not in Gonzaga’s official scouting report for tonight’s date with Portland at the McCarthey Athletic Center, but it probably should be somewhere in the players’ mind sets as the Bulldogs return to West Coast Conference play.

Gonzaga (15-5, 4-0 WCC) put its non-conference schedule to bed Saturday with an 81-73 loss to No. 1 Memphis. After making the 3,200-mile round trip to Tennessee, the Zags face a quick turnaround and limited preparation time for the Pilots (7-13, 1-3).

“That’s going to be a challenge for us,” senior forward David Pendergraft said in the locker room at the FedExForum in Memphis. “It’s up to (co-team captains Jeremy) Pargo and I to get our guys ready, put this game aside and get focused on a WCC championship. We have a chance to go 5-0 in league.”

Gonzaga had a similar turnaround last year, minus the travel. The Zags lost to Memphis in overtime at the Arena before thumping visiting Portland by 20 two days later.

The Pilots defeated Cal State Bakersfield on Friday, ending a three-game losing streak that could have easily been a three-game winning streak. Portland lost by five to Loyola Marymount, by one to San Francisco and by three to San Diego.

Portland’s leading scorer is sophomore guard Nik Raivio, younger brother of Derek Raivio, who led Gonzaga in scoring as a senior last season and was the WCC co-player of the year. Nik Raivio has made 33 percent of his 3-pointers, 82.7 percent at the free-throw line and averages 12.4 points.

“He can do some of the same things Derek did,” said guard Jeremy Pargo, one of several GU players who are familiar with Raivio.

“I actually went camping this past summer with Derek, Nik and the family,” Pendergraft said. “I know him pretty well and I’ve been keeping in contact. He’s playing really well and he’s a good fit for them.”

Portland has one of the youngest teams in Division I. Forward Sherrard Watson (10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds) is the lone senior. Freshman Luke Sikma, son of ex-Seattle Sonic Jack Sikma, averages 8.2 rebounds. Portland has won the rebounding category in 15 of 20 games.

“It’s going to be at a different pace (than Memphis),” Gonzaga forward Josh Heytvelt said. “We have to play Gonzaga basketball and go back to work.”