The week ahead
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Saturday: vs. Portland, 8 p.m., ESPN2-TV
Outlook: After playing four of its first six West Coast Conference games on the road, 17th-ranked Gonzaga (14-4 overall, 4-2 WCC) plays Portland (13-8, 2-4) in the first of three consecutive home games. A McCarthey Athletic Center sellout crowd of 6,000 and a national ESPN2 television audience will witness the 139th renewal of this Pacific Northwest rivalry that dates back to 1959. GU leads the series 73-65 and has won 16 of the last 17 games between the two schools. The Pilots, however, are the last WCC team to beat the Bulldogs at home, having pulled off a 72-68 upset in February 2003 at the old Kennel. Portland’s 13 wins this season are its most since 1997-98 when they finished 14-13 under Rob Chavez. Gonzaga is 7-0 at home this season, while Portland is 4-6 on the road. Look for GU, behind the power of Ronny Turiaf and J.P. Batista, to pound the ball inside against UP’s improved, but still inexperienced, front line.
Washington State Cougars
Today: at Arizona State, 6 p.m.
Saturday: at Arizona, 11 a.m. Fox Sports Net
Outlook: A split this week would be a good result as the Cougars embark on the toughest two-game road trip they’ll face in the Pac-10 this year. Arizona State is led by probable first-team All-American Ike Diogu, a force inside who is averaging a double-double. The Cougars did a nice job defending Diogu last season, but the Sun Devils are much improved this year thanks to better guard play. Both Arizona schools are tied for second in the Pac-10 in rebounding margin, and that figures to be an issue for the Cougars after struggling in that department against Washington on Sunday. WSU will have the advantage of facing Arizona two days after the Wildcats have their showdown with Washington for first place in the Pac-10. WSU will need to quiet the sharp shooting of Salim Stoudamire and the interior excellence of Channing Frye to have a chance.
Eastern Washington Eagles
Thursday: vs. Montana State, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Montana, 7:05 p.m.
Outlook: This is a critical weekend for the defending-champion Eagles as they reach the halfway point. The three teams with two conference losses and unbeaten Montana State mix it up. Montana State is 3-0 on the road and after this week has two road games left. Eastern swept MSU last year and has won five straight. Branden Miller (13.3), Marvin Moss (12.8) and Ja’Ron Jefferson lead MSU in scoring, Moss is the top rebounder (7.1) and Jefferson hits 46 percent on 3-pointers. The Eagles won 11 straight last year after losing their conference opener at home to UM. The Grizzlies are led by Kevin Criswell (13.2 ppg) and Kamarr Davis (11.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg), who returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing eight games for academic reasons. MSU and UM are 1-2 in shooting defense, with the Bobcats allowing a conference-low 66.3 ppg. Eastern is last in shooting (.419) and scoring (61.4 ppg).
Idaho Vandals
Tonight: at Long Beach State, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: at UC Irvine, 7 p.m.
Outlook: How bad is it for Long Beach State? The 49ers (2-15, 0-7) have lost eight straight games – the last by blowing an 11-point lead with 7 minutes left against UC Davis – and 13 of their last 14. Guard Jibril Hodges and forward Shawn Hawkins, grandson of Connie Hawkins, each average more than 12 points per game for Long Beach. UC Irvine (9-6, 3-4) is on a three-game winning streak. Ross Schraeder is No. 12 nationally in 3-point accuracy (47.8 percent). Idaho recruited former Seattle prep standout Aaron Fitzgerald, who leads Irvine in scoring (14.0) and assists (88).