Week ahead
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Today: 5 p.m., at Missouri (ESPN2)
Outlook: Gonzaga (10-1) has won seven straight, but must guard against a letdown following Tuesday night’s 78-75 high-energy upset of third-ranked Illinois. Zags’ Ronny Turiaf continues to be limited by ankle sprain but should play. Missouri (6-5) is loaded with young talent, but has already lost at home to Arkansas (62-52) and Davidson (84-81) and has yet to play a true road game.
WSU Cougars
Friday: 5 p.m., vs. Stanford at Spokane Arena
Sunday: 2 p.m., vs. California at Spokane Arena
Outlook: The Cougars went to two-a-day practices for part of this week leading up to the beginning of the conference season. Much of that time has been spent working on shooting and offensive sets, both of which have been a problem this season. WSU is shooting 34.3 percent from the field, 30.9 percent from 3-point distance and averages barely 49 points a game thus far. At 6-4, Stanford is led by swingman Dan Grunfeld, who has scored 16.7 per game this season. Cal is 7-3 with three players averaging double-digit points despite the absence of Leon Powe, who is out for the year with a knee injury.
EWU Eagles
Today: 3 p.m., vs. Butler at Tucson, Ariz.
Sunday: 2:05 p.m., vs. Idaho at EWU
Outlook: After getting clobbered 79-45 by No. 14 Arizona in the Wildcats’ Fiesta Bowl Classic tournament, the Eagles play the Braves for the first time. Butler (4-4) lost to Richmond 69-68 … The Idaho game was moved from Thanksgiving weekend. … Idaho won 64-60 last year at home. The Vandals led by two at halftime. After a Matt Nelson basket tied the game, UI reeled off seven straight and never trailed, leading by as many as 10 with just less than 11 minutes to go.
Idaho Vandals
Tonight: 7:30 p.m., at Portland
Sunday: 2 p.m. at Eastern Washington
Outlook: Portland, picked eighth in the WCC preseason poll, is off to a 9-4 start but lost 92-67 to Oregon on Tuesday. Guard Pooh Jeter, first-team All-WCC last season, has scored in double figures in 11 of 13 games. He averages a team-high 18.2 points. Guard Darren Cooper, a transfer from EWU, is next at 9.8. Prior to Oregon, the Pilots’ three losses were by a combined seven points.