WASHINGTON STATE AT OREGON

The Cougars (7-5 in the Pac-10 and 12-8 overall) go after a second consecutive road sweep of the Oregon schools when they take on the Ducks (7-4 and 15-5) in a 7:05 p.m. showdown at McArthur Court.

At a glance

This game has huge postseason implications. The winner moves into sole possession of fourth place in the Pac-10 Conference, a league that is deserving of at least five NCAA tournament berths in the eyes of many. WSU won the first meeting 83-78 in Pullman, but certainly didn’t dominate. Oregon, ranked 19th in the nation, has nine players averaging more than 11 minutes per game and three - Orlando Williams, Kenya Wilkins and Jeff Potter - averaging more than 10 points per game. Williams is a terrific shooter with unlimited range, and the Cougars need to limit his touches if they hope to contain him.

“But the best weapon (the Ducks) have is that they’ve been in a good system for three years (under coach Jerry Green),” said WSU coach Kevin Eastman. “It’s a system that allows them some freedom. They adjusted very well, and they’ve kind of grown into the system. They’re progressing the way a program ought to progress.”

WSU continues to get excellent play from Mark Hendrickson inside and Isaac Fontaine and Shamon Antrum on the perimeter. But point guard Donminic Ellison, who had eight turnovers in Thursday night’s 94-85 win over Oregon State, needs to take better care of the basketball if the Cougars hope to spring the upset.

WSU: Mark Hendrickson 14.7 points per game, 9.6 rebounds; Isaac Fontaine, 18.4 ppg; Shamon Antrum, 13.7 ppg; Donminic Ellison, 7.0 assists.

OREGON: Orlando Williams, 18.7 ppg; Kenya Wilkins, 12.5 ppg, 5.9 apg; Henry Madden, 5.3 rpg.

RADIO

KXLY (920 AM) Spokane, KWSU (1250 AM) Pullman, KORD 870 AM) Tri-Cities, KCLX (1450 AM) Colfax, KCVL (1240 AM) Colville, KWWW (1340 AM) Wenatchee, KBSN (1470 AM) Moses Lake, KNSN (97.1 FM) Walla Walla, 6:30 p.m.

GONZAGA AT PORTLAND

Gonzaga (5-6 in the West Coast Conference, 16-7) travels to Portland (16-7, 7-4) for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

At a glance

GU’s 74-59 win over the Pilots Wednesday at the Martin Centre was crucial in that it was the first against one of the top three teams in the league standings. Also, it moved the Zags into fourth place in the conference.

It’s logical to assume the Pilots will be tougher at home. Certainly, they have to get better production from their starting lineup. Wednesday, GU’s John Rillie (29 points) outscored Portland’s starting five (27 points).

The key in that game, GU coach Dan Fitzgerald said, was taking care of the ball. “We had only 10 turnovers against a team that’s been forcing 24 a game,” he said. “That may be our lowest total of the year.”

The Bulldogs shot just 28 percent from the field in the first half, and “I don’t think we can have that kind of half and come back and win on the road.”

Statistically, several areas explain how the Bulldogs have improved in their recent five-game winning streak compared to the preceding six-game losing streak. Their shooting from the field has gone from 46.3 to 50.0; 3-point shooting from 32.7 to 40.0; and rebounding average from 30.2 a game to 37.6.

Gonzaga: John Rillie, 13.3 points per game; Paul Rogers, 5.3 rebounds; Kyle Dixon, 4.0 assists.

Portland: Canaan Chatman, 19.5 ppg; Chatman, 6.7 rpg; Lemont Daniels, 2.9 apg.

Radio

KJRB (790 AM), pregame 15 minutes before tipoff.