at a glance Week ahead
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Today: 8 p.m. at Santa Clara (ESPN2)
Saturday: 7 p.m. at Saint Mary’s (FSN)
Outlook: GU’s Ronny Turiaf appears to have shaken off the lingering effects of the ankle sprain he suffered during a Christmas Day practice and should be close to 100 percent healthy against the Broncos. The key for the Zags’ 6-foot-10 senior will be keeping his composure against a typical Santa Clara front line that is physical and not shy about using all of the personal fouls allotted. Saint Mary’s was picked to finish second to GU in a preseason poll of WCC coaches and garnered three first-place votes. The Gaels boast one of the league’s top big men in junior forward Daniel Kickert. Paul Marigney is one of the best sixth men in the country.
WSU Cougars
Today: at UCLA, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: at USC, 5 p.m.
Outlook: The Cougars are 1-1 in the Pac-10 after splitting games in Spokane against the Northern California teams. Now they hit the road for the first time in league play to re-visit the scene of their best weekend of the 2003-04 season. Last year the Cougars swept UCLA and USC on the road, including WSU’s first win at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA is led by forward Dijon Thompson, but the matchup to watch will be WSU freshman guard Derrick Low on UCLA freshman guard Jordan Farmar. USC’s top player has been Rainier Beach (Wash.) graduate Lodrick Stewart, who averages 15.2 points.
EWU Eagles
Tonight: 7:05 p.m., Northern Arizona
Saturday: 7:05 p.m., Sacramento St.
Outlook: In its last visit to Cheney, NAU fell 71-59 in the championship game of the league tournament. The Lumberjacks got a boost when 6-6 junior guard Stephen Sir, a transfer from San Diego State, became eligible. He has 25 points in 35 minutes in two games. That gives NAU five double-figure scorers, led by DeJuan Stevens, who has one start, at 13.2. The Jacks lead the conference in scoring (75.7 ppg) and 3-point shooting (.383). Although Sac State has struggled, especially with its shooting, the Hornets hustle, leading the Big Sky in steals (9.42) and offensive rebounds (16.92)
Idaho Vandals
Tonight: vs. Cal Poly, 7:05, Cowan Spectrum
Saturday: vs.UC Santa Barbara, 7:05, Cowan Spectrum
Outlook: Cal Poly (3-7, 1-2) has shot the ball as effectively as its opponents, but has struggled with rebounding (minus-4 per game), assists (66 fewer than opponents) and turnovers (17.5 on average). True freshman guard Dawin Whiten leads the team at 12.6 ppg. He’s made 54.5 percent of his 3-point attempts. Cal Poly is 0-4 on the road. UC Santa Barbara (4-6, 2-1) has been rocked by injuries. The Gauchos are down to eight players, six on scholarship, and two post players. Leading scorer Casey Cook (10.8 ppg) broke his foot Sunday and will miss 6-8 weeks. The Gauchos have held their last five foes to less than 50 points.