Gonzaga climbs a spot to No. 2 in major men’s basketball polls

Men’s college basketball: Gonzaga climbed one spot in the AP and USA Today Top 25 polls, reaching No. 2 behind Kentucky.

The Bulldogs (22-1), who went 2-0 last week and have won 15 straight, replaced Virginia, which dropped from second to third after losing at home to Duke. Gonzaga received one first-place vote in the USA Today rankings.

Gonzaga has played two teams in the current Top 25. The Zags’ lone loss was to No. 6 Arizona in overtime. They defeated No. 23 SMU 72-56 in mid November.

Bulldogs’ freshman Sabonis honored

Men’s college basketball: Gonzaga freshman forward Domantas Sabonis has been named WCC Player of the Week.

Sabonis had 13-point, 11-rebound efforts against both Portland and Memphis. Sabonis, who made 9 of 14 field goals and 8 of 9 free throws, has four double-doubles this season.

Sabonis is the fourth Zag to receive player-of-the-week honors, joining Kevin Pangos, Kyle Wiltjer and Przemek Karnowski.

Gonzaga visits Santa Clara on Thursday and San Francisco on Saturday as WCC play continues.

Akey new Redskins D-line coach

NFL: Former University of Idaho head football coach Robb Akey has been hired as the defensive line coach for the Washington Redskins, the team announced on Monday.

Last season, Akey was an assistant defensive line coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

He coached Idaho for most of six seasons (2007-2012) and took the Vandals to the Humanitarian Bowl in 2009, a 43-42 win over Bowling Breen.

He was a defensive coach for Washington State for eight seasons before taking over at Idaho.