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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Gonzaga’s long NCAA streak is back on the line – as it has been before

A GRIP ON SPORTS • This may just be the most important day in Gonzaga basketball history in the past, oh, few weeks or so. Then, it the Zags win, tomorrow will supersede it. Read on.

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• Over the years, as Gonzaga’s remarkable run of NCAA tournament appearances has continued to grow, there have been moments when it seemed to be on the ropes. And, somehow, the Zags would figure out a way to get it done. To win and move on. The collective breath of Gonzaga Nation would exhale and then folks would start wondering how far they would go in the tournaments. Before you knew it, the grumbling would begin about an early exit. The ethereal nature of the streak, and how easily it could disappear, was quickly forgotten. Until the next time the Zags were on the bubble. This, my friends, is the “next time.” And maybe the most interesting one of them all. This was supposed to be the year Gonzaga had the deepest and best frontline in college basketball. Instead, tonight GU will probably enter the WCC semifinal game with BYU with two players on its roster taller than 6-foot-5. Przemek Karnowski, the 7-1 battleship in the middle, was lost long ago, sunk by a bad back. Saturday night 7-footer Ryan Edwards, who had been playing at least like a light cruiser recently, hobbled to the bench with a bad knee. Which means Gonzaga is down to its two starters – great as they are – and a bunch of guys trying to get it down inside. But no worries. BYU is a pushover, right? Uh, no. The Cougars won in Spokane. The game in Provo came down to the last shot. This one should be tight as well. The winner moves on to the WCC title game and still has a shot at the NCAA tournament. The loser might have to make NIT plans. Actually, though, it doesn’t really matter. It’s not as if the players will play any harder because Joe Lunardi doesn’t believe in them. These guys want to win. They have pride, passion and desire. Both teams. Expect a battle. A great battle.

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• WSU: The Cougars are getting ready for the Pac-12 tournament later this week in Las Vegas. Jacob Thorpe preps for the experience with this blog post, highlighting the players he feels are most deserving of awards in the conference. ... The baseball team lost again.

• Gonzaga: Today’s game is well covered, as Jim Meehan has advance, John Blanchette has a column on Silas Melson and there is more than enough stories from Utah about BYU. .... Jim looked back in this blog post at the win over Portland. ... Stefanie Loh from the Times has a story on Kyle Wiltjer.

• EWU: The Big Sky tournament will be in Reno this year for the men and women, so Jim Allen takes some time to look at where all four of our local teams – Eastern men and women, Idaho men and women – stack up.

• Chiefs: Tri-City had a chance to gain some ground on the Chiefs in the playoff race but instead fell at home to Seattle, 4-0.

• Seahawks: So who is the most important free agent the Hawks have? Here is one vote for Jeremy Lane. And Bruce Irvin is No. 2 in the Times’ countdown. ... Peyton Manning is doing what everyone expected and retiring.

• Mariners: The M’s won, Hisashi Iwakuma was perfect and the day was grand. ... Jamie Moyer is in camp, sharing his expertise. Hopefully Mike Montgomery is listening. ... The M’s need more out of the leadoff spot and may just have the guy to get it down.

• Sounders: The season began in about the worst possible way for the Sounders, losing 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City, playing a man down for most of the day, and then seeing Brad Evans leave with a shoulder injury. Not a great start to the MLS year. Not even Jordan Morris' debut helped. ... Portland won its season opener as did San Jose but Real Salt Lake blew a lead in a 2-2 draw.

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• Enjoy your Monday. If that is possible. Until later ...



Vince Grippi
Vince Grippi is a freelance local sports blogger for spokesman.com. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.

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