Week ahead
EWU Eagles
Today: Idaho State, 7
Saturday: Weber State, 7
Outlook: A road win won’t mean much if the Eagles don’t win at home. These are the bottom two teams in the conference, but that is deceiving. Three of four losses for both teams have been by less than 10 points. The Bengals shot 64.7 percent and had a 21-4 rebounding advantage in the second half and lost at home to Sacramento State. ISU leads the Big Sky in offense (80.8 ppg) and is last in defense (77.7). The Bengals’ 6-foot-8 Slim Millien averages 17.1 points and leads the conference in rebounding (8.2) and blocks (2.8).
Weber lost for the first time when shooting better than 45 percent, then out-shot and out-rebounded Sacramento State to lose again, falling to 0-4 in conference play for the first time – that means 43 years.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Saturday: at San Diego, 3 (KHQ/FSN)
Monday: at San Francisco, 8 (PAX/FSN)
Outlook: No. 6 GU will try to keep its conference record unblemished on a road swing through southern California and the Bay Area. First up is San Diego, which picked up its first conference win of the season by tripping Santa Clara 75-69 on Monday. GU coach Mark Few insists the Toreros, who boast one of the top scorers in the conference in 6-foot-10 senior center Nick Lewis (19.6 ppg), are, perhaps, the biggest threat to his Bulldogs’ regular-season title chances. Senior forward Sean Mallon is expected to play after missing the second half of Monday’s win over Loyola Marymount with what was thought to be a mild concussion.
The Dons struggled early under coach Jessie Evans, losing five of their first seven games. But they are coming of an impressive 53-52 win over Saint Mary’s on Monday.
Idaho Vandals
Saturday: vs. San Jose State, 2
Tuesday: at North Dakota State
Outlook: Idaho and San Jose State have struggled to score, shoot accurately and, well, win. Idaho (3-11, 0-4 WAC) has dropped five straight games and it has lost six straight conference games (counting its last two in the Big West last season). The Spartans have dropped six straight and they’re 0-3 in games decided by five points or less. Leading scorer Demetrius Brown (14.2 ppg), who has missed five games this season because of injury, is expected to play. In conference, UI is averaging 53.8 points per game; San Jose State 56.0. North Dakota State (10-8) lost to Idaho 76-71 in Moscow on Dec. 21.
WSU Cougars
Today: Oregon, 7
Saturday: Oregon State, 7:30
Outlook: The Cougars need a good week after a lackluster performance in Southern California washed away much of the momentum built up by the upset win at Washington. WSU is 6-0 in Pullman this season, including one Pac-10 win. Oregon has rebounded recently from its struggles with a slightly slower pace helping the Ducks keep things under control. Guard Aaron Brooks is a major scoring threat. OSU appears to be one of the Pac-10’s weaker teams, but a win over Arizona last week raised an eyebrow.