For the first time since December 2015, Gonzaga will make the short-drive down U.S. Route 195 to take on the Washington State Cougars in Beasley Coliseum. WSU held their own against a top-15 Gonzaga team in that fated 2015 game, but ultimately fell 69-60.
It will also be the first official sellout in Beasley since Klay Thompson’s jersey retirement ceremony in January of 2020. WSU had some rocking crowds towards the end of last season, but this will be the first completely full-house in five years. There will be a healthy smattering of Gonzaga fans as always, but ZZUCRU will take up a large portion of the gym.
Gonzaga rides into town on a four game winning streak, also collecting W’s in six of the last seven with their only loss coming at the hands of Saint Mary’s by four. Since their nightmare week where they lost to Oregon State and gave up 100 to Santa Clara at home, they have played much better basketball. Despite their seven losses, the Zags still sit inside the top ten of the NET rankings.
The Cougs are coming off a loss, where like many games this season, their upset bid consisted of one really solid half. WSU trailed by only four points at half time, but went on to lose by 21. It was very similar to the Cougs trip to Spokane, where they stayed competitive in the first half, and then lost their handle on the game early into the second.
Defense was a major issue in the last contest against GU, and gaurd Ryan Nembhard is coming off a WCC player of the week honor. However, the big guys: Ben Gregg, Graham Ike, and Braden Huff combined for 42 were the major issue in The Kennel. Nolan Hickman also chimed in with a career high five threes.
Frankly, all signs point towards a comfortable Gonzaga win. They are 12.5 point favorites, ESPN analytics gives them 85.7% chance to win, and they are in second place in the WCC. Washington State would need to find a complete game performance they haven’t showed since their 13-3 start. Mayhap’s the addition of Isiah Watts, who was absent for the last meeting, will prove to make a difference.
It certainly is feasible that the Cougs could put together the spurts they have shown into a complete game with the sell-out crowd behind them. Gonzaga is not the monster they have been in years past, and WSU has shown they can get out when they are on their game.
Hopefully, it will be one of those magical evenings in Pullman. Go Cougs.
