Make that tournament game day for the Zags and Pilots, and this is one of the bigger WCC tourneys for Gonzaga in years.

Gonzaga's up-and-down regular season probably means the Zags probably need three wins in Las Vegas to secure an 18th straight NCAA trip. Job One is seventh-seeded Portland, which lost twice to GU by combined scores of 37 points. Tip is scheduled for a deadline unfriendly 9 p.m., but don't be surprised if its closer to 9:30 with Saint Mary's-LMU tipping at 7 (30 minutes between games).

Here's my preview and John Blanchette's column on the Zags.