GU opens WCC play at home

Gonzaga will be home for its first four West Coast Conference men’s basketball games and on the road for its last four, including the regular-season finale against Saint Mary’s.

The defending champion Bulldogs entertain Santa Clara to open WCC play Saturday, Dec. 28, followed by San Francisco’s visit two days later. Saint Mary’s and WCC newcomer Pacific come to Spokane the following week.

GU’s first road game is against Portland on Thursday, Jan. 9. The Bulldogs close the conference season at BYU (Feb. 20), San Diego (Feb. 22), Pacific (Feb. 27) and Saint Mary’s (March 1).

The addition of Pacific extends the WCC season to 10 weeks and 18 games. The WCC will announce the television schedule in the next few weeks.

Track and field

Washington State Cougars men’s and women’s coach Rick Sloan announced he will retire after the 2014 season.

Sloan has been with the program for the past 40 years – the last 18 as head coach.

Volleyball

The Idaho Vandals were picked to place second in a Western Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll and the Vandals landed a conference-high three players on the All-WAC team.

Alyssa Schultz was chosen preseason player of the year and the junior middle blocker was joined by senior middle blocker Taylor Wilkinson and sophomore outside hitter Katelyn Peterson.

Idaho has placed second in the WAC in each of the past two seasons.