Jim Meehan

It’s been commonly referred to as a rematch, but that’s not accurate with three Gonzaga players having moved on to the NBA since the Zags’ epic 93-90 overtime win against UCLA in last season’s Final Four. Call it whatever you want, but it’s fair to say Tuesday’s mega matchup of No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 UCLA at T-Mobile Arena is as big as it gets for non-conference contests in college basketball this season.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin has a gut feeling on what might unfold Tuesday when his second-ranked Bruins take on No. 1 Gonzaga at T-Mobile Arena.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren was named WCC freshman of the week on Monday for the second straight week.

It's officially No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 2 UCLA leading into Tuesday’s monster game at T-Mobile Arena. And more history awaits the Zags on Friday. The Zags and Bruins remained solidly entrenched in the top two spots in the AP poll released Monday. Gonzaga received 55 first-place votes, UCLA five and No. 3 Purdue one.

Gonzaga and UCLA will add a unique twist to the 42-game history of No. 1 versus No. 2 matchups in the AP college basketball poll dating back to 1949. It’s the first time a 1-2 showdown will involve two teams from the West when the Zags and Bruins tangle Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Gonzaga junior forward Drew Timme reached 1,000 career points, and just kept on scoring. 

Senior guard Dylan Penn has been good (14 points, five assists vs. then-No. 7 Purdue), not-so-good (four points, 1 of 10 FGs vs. Murray State) and great (27 points vs. Saint Mary’s) in Bellarmine’s three games.

At first glance, Gonzaga-Bellarmine sets up as a milestone watch – Drew Timme is 11 points from 1,000 in his career – and another tuneup for the Zags before two heavyweight bouts next week in Las Vegas. It certainly could turn out that way, but Bellarmine’s determined effort in a 73-64 road loss to Saint Mary’s on Wednesday – the 15.5-point underdog Knights led 55-54 near the 5-minute mark – showed the visitors from Louisville, Kentucky, can compete with an upper echelon WCC team.

Debbie Buchanan announced her retirement Wednesday after 22 seasons as University of Idaho volleyball coach.

Washington State has a couple of important objectives entering its final home stand of the volleyball season. One, send lone senior Penny Tusa out in style in her last Bohler Gym matches against No. 13 Oregon on Thursday and Oregon State on Sunday. Two, enhance the Cougars’ resume in hopes of securing the program’s sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Three takeaways from Monday’s contest on Timme’s all-around evening, Gonzaga’s improving 3-point accuracy and the team’s defensive potential.

JULIAN STRAWTHERDIFFERENCE MAKERS

Gonzaga swept the first WCC weekly awards of the season with Drew Timme conference winning player of the week and Chet Holmgren taking freshman honors.

Freshman Hunter Sallis is just three games into his Gonzaga career, but he’s already showing many of the qualities that made him a five-star recruit.

No. 1 Gonzaga received 55 first-place votes from the media panel, the same number it received in the preseason poll. No. 2 UCLA received the other six-place votes, down two from the preseason rankings. It appears there were 61 voters compared to 63 in the preseason poll.

About 10 days after Jackson Shelstad narrowed his list to three finalists, including Gonzaga, the class of 2023 point guard announced his commitment to Oregon.

The benefit of two of college basketball’s biggest non-conference games being staged in ear-splitting atmospheres at campus arenas in the first week of the season wasn’t lost on Texas coach Chris Beard and Gonzaga counterpart Mark Few after the Zags’ 86-74 win Saturday at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

The game wasn’t two minutes old and Gonzaga’s Drew Timme had scored on two layups, a free throw and a dunk.

Gonzaga’s Drew Timme entered the Volkar Center before Thursday’s practice like he didn’t have a care in the world, fresh from a nap, hair a bit disheveled and gnawing on a sandwich.

Gonzaga head coach Mark Few isn’t planning on missing future games as he comes off a three-game suspension, but he knew the team was in good hands with assistant Brian Michaelson serving as acting head coach.

By any measure, No. 1 Gonzaga-No. 5 Texas qualifies as a huge matchup, but Saturday’s showdown goes straight to the top of the list as far as combined AP rankings in a Zag home game. The next closest isn’t all that close. No. 10 Gonzaga lost to No. 13 Illinois 85-74 a decade ago.

We caught up with Brian Davis, who has covered Texas basketball for nine seasons with the Austin American-Statesman, for a Q&A to learn more about Beard, the transfers and the showdown against the Zags.

Impact performances from Gonzaga's 97-63 win over Dixie State.