Grip on Sports: Forget the groundhog, it’s all about when Gonzaga wins its 25th game
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Mount Snowplow began to melt away yesterday. To slip down the drain at the end of the cul-de-sac. It’s the best harbinger known to man that winter is ready to give up its icy grip. That or the Zags getting to 25 wins. Take your pick. Read on.
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• Gonzaga defeated Loyola-Marymount 90-60 last night just down the road from LAX. There are now headed to the Bay Area for their Saturday night showdown with No. 20 Saint Mary’s.
That’s the quick version of yesterday and today.
We also offer a longer version in the “Gonzaga” section below. Much longer, actually. But one area that isn’t touched on is the number 25. As in 25 wins. That’s the mark the top-ranked Bulldogs hit yesterday.
You know how many times a Mark Few team has won less than 25 games in a season?
Two. Uno plus uno. The last time was 2006-07, the year after Adam Morrison left early for the NBA. The year of Josh Heytfelt’s fall from grace. The year they lost four consecutive non-conference games. The year they lost back-to-back late-season games in Spokane.
It was also the first year of two consecutive NCAA first-round exits.
Since then the Zags have reached the quarter-century mark each season, many times easily. They have morphed from a feel-good story into a true national power, ranked No. 1 this year for the second time, and winners of 30 or more games twice in the past four years, missing that even-more imposing mark by one game in 2013-14 and two last season.
So last night’s milestone passed with barely a whisper. Maybe it’s because the Zags have played just 25 games. Or because they have the Melee in Moraga (or something) scheduled for Saturday, with ESPN’s GameDay in town and Jay Bilas railing about the NCAA’s money madness while sitting in a suburban burg of million-dollar homes.
But think about this.
Washington State has won 25 games just four times. In its more than 100 years of playing basketball. Eastern three times. Idaho three times. Those are the other three Inland Northwest Division I schools. They have won 25 or more games a combined total of 10 times.
Last night, Gonzaga hit that mark for the 16th time since Few became its coach.
That’s special. Whatever happens the rest of the year, and there are some of you who will profess that next month is all that matters, don’t forget how special it is.
Plus, by the time the Bulldogs’ season ends, no matter when that is, you’ll be able to see your grass again. It will be well watered by the runoff from Mount Snowplow.
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Gonzaga: Loyola-Marymount listed the attendance as almost 5,000 folks last night, but watching on TV it sure didn’t seem like that many. It wasn’t your usual sellout for a Gonzaga visit, that’s for sure. And there would be no court-storming, what with the workmanlike 90-60 victory. Jim Meehan has the game story, an analysis of what happened, the keys, and stories on Killian Tille’s big game and Nigel William-Goss’ bumps and bruises. There is also numbers from the game and a look at the honors stacking up for Williams-Goss. And, lest I forget, my media column. … The Gonzaga women road a big third quarter to a win over Loyola as well. Jim Allen has the game story, Michael Gulledge a sidebar and Colin Mulvany the photo story. … Yes, spring is near. We have a baseball story. Another sign, right? … Elsewhere in the WCC last night, Saint Mary’s was either looking past Portland or it shot terribly. Both, maybe? The Gaels did win, 51-41. … Pacific rallied to get past USD, 61-58 in Stockton. … Santa Clara tried to rally after falling behind by 25, but fell, 61-58 at USF. … Finally, BYU once again lost at Pepperdine, this time 99-83. That’s four consecutive years if you are keeping score.
WSU: The last time Utah and Washington State met, the Utes just demolished WSU in Pullman, winning by 41. This time, in Salt Lake City, it was a lot closer but the result was the same, a Utah win, 74-70. … If you are one of those folks who think Lorenzo Romar should be let go, then this piece from Jon Wilner gives you more ammunition. … The Huskies, without Markelle Fultz, lost at Colorado 81-66 and there was an off-court incident. … The best game of the night was in Pauley Pavilion, with No. 10 UCLA rallying from a 15-point second-half deficit to get past fifth-ranked Oregon, 82-79. … USC had an easy time with Oregon State, winning 92-66. … Arizona coach Sean Miller is a bit frustrated right now. … There is some football news, even some football news with a Washington and Washington State focus.
EWU: Quinton Hooker was red hot in ice-cold Grand Forks, as North Dakota handed Eastern a 95-86 road loss last night. … The Eastern women also lost at home. … Around the Big Sky last night, Sacramento State may have posted the season’s biggest upset, handing conference-leading Weber State a 77-74 loss in Sacramento. … Portland State rallied to get past Idaho State, 74-69. … Northern Arizona handed visiting Montana State a 69-63 defeat. … Montana picked up a rare road win, 70-55 at Southern Utah.
Idaho: The Big Sky’s far-east swing is tough, but the Vandals got off to a great start with an 88-76 win at Northern Colorado. Victor Sanders led the way with 25 points. … The Idaho women didn’t fare as well against the Bears at home.
Whitworth: The Pirates’ softball team is in California.
Empire: Spokane added a couple players to its roster yesterday.
Preps: The early morning ice storm yesterday forced postponement of the 4A and 3A playoff games. They will be held today. … We have roundups of the games that were played yesterday, from the girls and the boys.
Seahawks: As many people pointed out yesterday, newly signed kicked Blair Walsh has already won a game for the Hawks. His signing yesterday may spell the end in Seattle for Steven Hauschka (pictured). … Did Marshawn Lynch’s hall of fame chances get better this year?
Mariners: Let’s see. For today’s previews, we present the more athletic outfield and the better-hitting infield. … There may be reasons to speed up the game, but the solutions major league baseball is looking at don’t make a lot of sense.
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• I have a feeling the worst of winter is behind us. It’s just a feeling, mind you, based on years and years of experience. It’s one of the perks of getting old. Having years and years of experience. Remembering what was on yesterday’s breakfast menu? That’s not a given. Until later …