Jim Meehan

Longtime Bulldogs assistant coach Tommy Lloyd, a key figure in the program’s rise on the national stage, has been hired as Arizona’s head coach. He agreed to a five-year contract, pending approval of the school’s Board of Regents.

Arizona appears to be trying to expand its search for a new men’s basketball coach and a former Wildcats’ standout player criticized Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd’s candidacy.

The Cougars overcame a delayed start to the season, a limited number of full-squad practices before their first match and numerous schedule revisions to finish 11-4.The reward is WSU’s fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and a 15 seed, which means a first-round bye before Thursday’s match against the winner of Jackson State/Western Kentucky.

Oumar Ballo became the second Gonzaga post player this week to put his name in the transfer portal.

Arizona’s search for a new men’s basketball coach has sent the rumor mill into overdrive, but most signs continue to point in Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd’s direction.

The competition keeps getting tougher. Yes, across college basketball, but also when measuring Gonzaga head coach Mark Few’s best teams against one another.In the last nine years alone, there is the 2013 Zags that the climbed to No. 1 in the AP rankings for the first time in program history, two Sweet 16s, two Elite Eight and two that played for the national championship. Five have been ranked No. 1, including the 2019, 2020 and 2021 teams.

Gonzaga junior guard Joel Ayayi has declared for the NBA Draft and plans to sign with an agent as he pursues a professional career.The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Ayayi declared for the draft last year before deciding to return to Gonzaga. It was generally expected that Ayayi would submit his name again after the Zags’ 31-1 season and remain in the draft this time.

Arizona is three days into its search for a new men’s basketball coach and nothing has changed the perception that Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd is one of the leading candidates.Lloyd has interviewed for the job, according to CBSsports.com.

Gonzaga sophomore center Pavel Zakharov has entered the transfer portal, according to verbalcommits.com.

Spokane native Al Mengert, one of the most accomplished golfers in state history and a contender in several major championships, died Tuesday, one day before his birthday, at age 91.Mengert played in 27 major championships, including eight straight Masters. His best finish was a tie for ninth in the 1958 Masters won by Arnold Palmer.

Arizona fired head coach Sean Miller on Wednesday, creating a vacancy at one of the top men’s basketball programs in the West.

Gonzaga handled everything in its path – ranked opponents, silent arenas, COVID-19 curveballs and the pressure that accompanies an unbeaten record and season-long No. 1 ranking – except for the final exam.

As sure as ‘One Shining Moment’ puts a bow on the college basketball season, the first glance at next year begins just hours later with the release of way-too-early polls and national championship favorites.

Gonzaga’s nightmare scenario started early. Two offensive rebounds and the first of Baylor’s frequent second-chance opportunities on its first possession.

Difference makers and turning point from the NCAA national championship game between Gonzaga and Baylor on April 5, 2021, in Indianapolis

The Bulldogs are one victory from completing an undefeated season with the program’s first national championship. In other words, legendary status in the sport that only seven teams have achieved since the first tournament in 1939, the most recent Indiana’s 32-0 season in 1976.

We’ll stay in the backcourt and give the nod to junior Davion Mitchell, the national defensive player of the year. Junior Jared Butler has been a mainstay on All-America teams and leads the team in scoring (16.6), but Mitchell isn’t far behind (14.0) and is tops in minutes (33.0) and 3-point percentage (45.3).

Gonzaga is on the doorstep of joining one of college basketball’s most exclusive clubs.

Tie score, 3.3 seconds left, Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs took the inbounds pass, raced past the mid-court line with three dribbles and hit the biggest shot in program history.

Difference makers and turning point from Gonzaga's NCAA Tournaments Final Four game against UCLA on April 3, 2021, in Indianapolis.

Ryan Nembhard, younger brother of Gonzaga junior guard Andrew Nembhard, helped Montverde (Florida) Academy claim another Geico National boys basketball championship.

Gonzaga sophomore Drew Timme on Saturday was named the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year, according to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Gonzaga's Corey Kispert added another prestigious award to his growing collection.

As has often been the case this season, top-seeded Gonzaga (30-0) faces another clash of styles, pitting its high-powered offense against the methodical, defensive-minded Bruins (22-9). Tipoff is at 5:34 p.m. PT at Lucas Oil Stadium.