Here's a twist, a smooth fly-in, fly-out to the Battle of Seattle, making up for the two extra days I spent a couple years back when Sea-Tac ran out of de-icer. It's possible that I got back to Spokane before the Zags. How? Gonzaga was forced to land in Pullman because of fog at Spokane Airport, then bus to Spokane.

Here are the links: Game stories from the S-R, Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, A.P. Tucson Citizen, and Daily Star, and Times' photos. Columns from John Blanchette, Art Thiel, Steve Kelley and Dave Boling (quite the foresome there).

Much more below.

--We’ll begin with Elias Harris, who had a commanding 25-point, 8-rebound performance to lead GU past Arizona 71-60. I mentioned a couple weeks ago after a game that I’d never seen Harris play harder – until Saturday, that is. He was credited with two offensive rebounds, but it seemed like four or five. On one second-half play, he pursued a Robert Sacre miss, got a hand on the ball to keep it alive despite being stationed behind two Wildcats, then finished it off with a tip-in. (Not an official scorer, but does a tip-in constitute an offensive rebound? Perhaps not since the ball wasn’t controlled. I’ll have to check with GU’s scorer Tuesday.)

Regardless, Harris was as good as I’ve seen him since his freshman year. He had quality games last year, including both NCAA Tournament games, but his array of moves (post-up, putbacks, mid-range, 3-pointers, jump hooks, off the bounce) was reminiscent of his freshman season.

“I would say I felt like that in the last two NCAA Tournament games,” Harris said, “when I was flying around like that.”

Actually, Harris is better than his freshman version because he’s become a more dedicated defender. That was on display against Arizona’s undersized front court.

“He played really well defensively,” head coach Mark Few said. “We were worried about both (Jesse) Perry and (Solomon) Hill attacking us off the dribble.”

Said Harris: “Over summer I worked a lot and improved a lot. As a player I feel different because I can help on the defensive end more than the past. That gives me a certain amount of confidence.”

--Gonzaga again failed to deliver a knockout punch, but in fairness good-to-great teams don’t get knocked out very often. Arizona was maybe the most physically talented team GU has faced thus far, particularly with guards Fogg, Johnson, Turner and Mayes, but the ’Cats lack a proven post. They have ’tweeners at the 4 and 5 spots.

“Nick Johnson is probably the most athletic guard we’ve played,” GU guard Gary Bell Jr. said.

The Zags have built double-digit leads against EWU (12), Washington State (21), Oral Roberts (12) and Arizona (20), but all four opponents rallied to push Gonzaga in the closing minutes.

“That’s almost every single one of our games,” freshman guard Kevin Pangos said. “I wouldn’t say it’s our way, but I think we need to get better, try to get the lead even bigger so they can’t come back and make it close. But a win’s a win.”

Said Mike Hart: “We have young guards and they’re learning every day. I haven’t had the most experience so every time I’m in there I’m getting more experience. Hopefully we’ll be able to put somebody away early.”

--Hart turned in what is becoming a customary effort: Six offensive rebounds, six points, solid defense. He also blocked two shots, missed two 2-pointers. His first-half rebounding helped GU expand its lead.

“They were making fun of me earlier in here because I got a lot of offensive rebounds, I was frustrated I couldn’t get a defensive rebound the whole night,” he said.

Judging by this comment, Hart has a complete understanding of his role: “I tried to do whatever I could. Just hard-nosed defense, not turn the ball over, make good decisions, let these guys do what they do and work around them.”

--Gonzaga’s defense and rebounding have been the two biggest reasons for its two-game winning streak. The Zags outboarded Oral Roberts by 15, held the Golden Eagles to 40-percent shooting and 61 points. They outboarded Arizona by 14, limited the ’Cats to 41-percent shooting and 60 points. Arizona had a season-low 21 points at half.

“Just a focused, consistent effort the whole game,” Hart said. “We were dialed in to what we were doing on different guys and we were playing hard the whole time.”

“Coach has been telling us we have to hold people under 40 percent,” Bell Jr. said.

--Several coaches, including Oral Roberts’ Scott Sutton, MSU’s Tom Izzo and Illinois’ Bruce Weber, have mentioned that Kevin Pangos has been a defensive emphasis in their scouting reports. GU’s freshman guard has noticed added attention following his nine 3-pointers/33-point night against WSU.

“Obviously they have to focus on me a little bit now. I’m still getting good looks, I’m just not knocking them down. I’ll continue to shot, my confidence isn’t dropping at all,” Pangos said.

Pangos’ last two games: ORU: 31 minutes, 2-9 FG, 2-8 3s, 8 of 8 FT, 14 points, 7 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 1 steal. Arizona: 29 minutes, 1-9 FG, 0 of 5 3s, 9 of 12 FT, 11 points, 8 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 0 steals.

--Guy Landry Edi made his debut, logging 10 minutes. He didn’t score, missing both of his 3-point attempts and both of his free throws. He grabbed two rebounds and had a nice post feed from a difficult angle to Sam Dower, who finished inside.

“It feels good. I looked a little rusty out there, but it’s the first one,” he said. “I’m happy coach put me on the floor. I have to work my way back into the rotation. I missed stuff I usually don’t miss, but I did. Just be ready for the next game.”

STATS OF NOTE

--GU played about as clean as possible in the first half. The Zags had three turnovers, three fouls, a 27-13 edge in rebounding, they got to the FT line 13 times, took charges, swatted shots and ran the floor.

--The Bulldogs made just 3 of 20 3-pointers, missing all seven attempts in the second half.

--GU was 20 of 32 at the FT line (62.5%), its second-worst effort of the season (Western Michigan, 57%). Arizona, meanwhile, had one FT in the first half and was 8 of 9 overall.

--Dower has made 9 of 13 shots the last two games.

QUOTEBOOK

Bell Jr.: “Between the last game and this game, we were going to work (on cutting down on turnovers) and it showed today.”

Pangos, who had six finals, on the week: “We just had to stay focused. After the Michigan State, obviously we were disappointed but we put it behind us and it was on to Oral Roberts and then on to this game. With finals and everything there was a little pressure, but we tried to stay focused.”

Few on six turnovers: “Where we’ve been having issues in these games is a barrage of silly turnovers. We did a fabulous job, especially against Arizona’s pressure. They kind of ratcheted it up in the second half.”

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