Early struggles don’t mean much in March

Basketball success is measured in March, when league tournaments determine postseason participation for most teams.

They understand that at Gonzaga and Idaho, where the women’s basketball teams have lost in the championship games of their league tournaments the past two seasons, leaving them short of their goals.

That’s why there is no panic despite losing records heading into conference play.

“The thing I’m most proud of (in) my kids is their resiliency,” said coach Mike Divilbiss of his 4-7 Vandals. “They love to compete; they’re not getting down. They don’t quit; they battle. In the end I think we’re going to be a good basketball team. Our goal wasn’t to go 11-0 to start conference play, our goal is to be the best basketball game we can be in March.”

The past two seasons the Vandals were 22-7 and 19-11 after losing the Big West Conference finale to Santa Barbara, but no postseason invitation followed.

The disappointment at GU was even sharper. They lost by three to Loyola Marymount in the West Coast Conference tournament two years ago but made the Women’s NIT with an 18-11 record. Last year it was a 25-2 regular season record and 24 straight wins, but there was only a WNIT berth after a loss to Santa Clara in the tourney finale.

That’s all a distant memory for this 5-10 team.

“At times we’ve played OK and at times not,” coach Kelly Graves said. “We’re ready for league play in that it can’t get any worse than it’s been. We need a new beginning. We’re struggling, but I keep seeing signs we’re getting better. Are we ready? I don’t know yet, but I certainly hope so.”

First whack at WAC

Idaho starts its maiden voyage through the Western Athletic Conference with a Thursday game at New Mexico State (3-8) and a Saturday contest at league-favorite Louisiana Tech (8-3).

It’s a road trip that won’t faze the Vandals, who have played just three home games.

“I think we’ve been through a great deal,” Divilbiss said. “That’s why we did all the travel we did. If the first time you see that kind of travel is in league, I haven’t done a very good job of preparing them.”

Divilbiss was even more optimistic after the last game, even though it was a loss. The Vandals rallied from 12 down in the second half before losing by two at Eastern.

“I think we’re starting to bond,” he said. “I wasn’t too sure about that before.”

Two of UI’s losses were in overtime, four by three points or less, and mixed with the difficult travel, Divilbiss thinks his team is ready.

“Anything we do now in league is going to be easier than what we’ve done,” he said. “I think that’s a good thing, as long as your team gets through that adversity and responds the right way. I was wondering for a little while how we were going to respond … people have to step up and mature, teams have to mature, and I think we’re starting to do that.”

WCC means Weak Coast Conference

Gonzaga hasn’t been the only team to struggle. Going into Monday’s games, Santa Clara’s 6-6 record was the league’s best.

“Everybody in this league probably feels they have a chance. And probably everybody is right,” Graves said. “I’m optimistic. I just think at some point we’re going to get it. … Our seniors are going to step up and say they’ve had enough of this.”

Graves has tried everything. He has started 11 different players in numerous combinations, with Stephanie Hawk the only player to start every game.

“It’s a lot of little things,” Graves said. “I still think we’re struggling to find that consistent threat, a player or two we can go to game in and game out.”

But starting Thursday, GU is 0-0 and the Zags even get to start league play at home, where they have been for just four of their first 15 games. Plus, the league tournament is in Spokane for the first time, giving the Bulldogs a better chance to erase the disappointments.

“I don’t think we’re as confident as we can be, that’s why I think we welcome that new beginning,” Graves said.

Looking ahead

Washington State (6-6) plays its last non-league game tonight at Eastern Washington (5-8). The Cougs have lost five straight, three to ranked teams, and are 0-4 in the Pac-10. … Washington (10-3, 3-1), hovering on the edge of the Top 25, is at Pullman at 2 p.m. Saturday. … Eastern gets 11 days off before starting Big Sky Conference play at home against Portland State. Brittney Osborne missed the Idaho game with a sprained ankle. … Santa Clara is at GU Thursday for an 8 p.m. WCC game that will be shown on Fox Sports. KHQ is televising the 3 p.m. Saturday game when Saint Mary’s comes in. … After its long road trip, Idaho gets three straight home games. … The Vandals have hit at least two 3-pointers in 96 straight games, averaging 6.5 in that span. … EWU is averaging 21.5 fouls a game with opponents shooting 297 free throws, 77 more than the Eagles, good for 45 more points.