NCAA 2007 Stories: Spokesmanreview.com

Gonzaga holds on

SAN FRANCISCO � For significant stretches of the first half, Gonzaga couldn't stop turning the ball over. For long stretches of the second half, the Bulldogs had no defensive answer for San Francisco's 3-point shooters.

Second-half lapse undoes Cougars

PULLMAN � Washington State's postseason basketball hopes may have bled out all over Friel Court on Saturday.

Zags tough it out

MORAGA, Calif. � There was nothing easy about it, even with injured Saint Mary's standout point guard Patty Mills on the bench in a suit and tie.

Cougars dominate Ducks

PULLMAN � Looking forward to the Pac-10's stretch run this week, Washington State men's basketball coach Tony Bennett expressed one goal. He wanted his team to play better.

GU, Gaels enter rematch with doubts

MORAGA, Calif. � Two weeks ago, Saint Mary's was humming along with the best start in school history, a candidate for West Coast Conference player of the year, a national ranking and conference championship aspirations.

Memphis left Zags singing the blues

Long after ESPN had lost most of its audience on what turned out to be College GrimDay for Gonzaga, a camera captured the day's most revealing image.

One to the chin

Memphis coach John Calipari watched the final seconds tick away and shook hands with Gonzaga counterpart Mark Few in front of the scorer's table.

Zags take control

PORTLAND � The eight-time defending West Coast Conference champion Gonzaga Bulldogs took a big step toward a ninth straight title Thursday.

Stanford streaks past Cougars

STANFORD, Calif. � For the Washington State men's basketball team to be successful, especially on the road in the Pac-10, the Cougars' defense has to be, as coach Tony Bennett calls it, "hard-nosed and sound."

Familiar affair

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are used to hearing their coaches on the bench call out their plays. And now, they're used to hearing their ex-coaches on the opposing bench call out their plays.

Thompson's range burns Sun Devils

TEMPE, Ariz. � Arizona State was in a zone. That allowed Klay Thompson to get into one as well.

Injury could blow ill for Gaels' future

Cards on the table: Gonzaga didn't beat the Saint Mary's JVs Thursday night.But even the hyper manic Kennel Club lost some of its juice when the Gaels' Patrick Mills came out of the locker room at halftime with an icebag balanced on his right wrist.

Zags rise to occasion

Patty Mills of Saint Mary's put on a show in the first half. Unfortunately for the Gaels, the sharp-shooting sophomore guard had to put on an ice bag for the second half.

Premier matchup arrives for GU, Gaels

The wait is finally over. Gonzaga and Saint Mary's collide tonight in one of the most highly anticipated West Coast Conference men's basketball games of the season. Both bring national rankings, winning streaks, similar stats, up-tempo offenses, marquee players and a bit of a chip on their shoulder to the showdown for first place in the WCC at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Cougars give one away

PULLMAN � It was a matter of perception.As he made his way up the Beasley Coliseum tunnel Saturday afternoon following his basketball team's 46-44 comeback win over Washington State, a USC reserve jumped on a teammate and said, "We stole one again."

Heytvelt rides Waves for 25

MALIBU, Calif. � Senior forward Josh Heytvelt scored the game's first nine points, Gonzaga the first 17 and the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs went on to an 83-69 men's basketball victory over Pepperdine at Firestone Fieldhouse on Thursday.

Early WCC schedule favors Zags

The schedule-maker didn't take it easy on Gonzaga in the non-conference, but that's changed in West Coast Conference play.

Nothing but joy

It was a nice night for Gonzaga's bench on the court and an unforgettable night for senior Andrew Sorenson and his teammates in the locker room afterward.

Zags face high-up Lowhorn

Gonzaga, fresh from shutting down Santa Clara standout center John Bryant on Thursday, faces another sizable challenge against San Francisco's Dior Lowhorn tonight.

In defense of GU, its defense shines

The score crawled across the bottom of TV screens from Ocosta to Ocala, followed by the inevitable chorus.

GU deflates Pilots

Nothing came easy for the Gonzaga Bulldogs � the baskets, the rebounds, the long-distance 3-pointers.

Zags open defense of title (again)

Same old West Coast Conference.Wait, maybe that's not such a bad thing.The conference sent a record three teams to the NCAA tournament last year and those three � Gonzaga, Saint Mary's and San Diego � return nearly all their key players. In fact, a record eight of the 10 first-team All-WCC players from a year ago are back, though San Diego's Brandon Johnson is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

All is right again

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. � The Gonzaga Bulldogs came in with a three-game losing streak and fragile confidence. They fell behind by 15 points midway through the first half. They missed free throw after free throw.

Changes in fortune

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. � This isn't the opponent or the venue where college basketball teams go to end losing streaks.

Zags' meltdown came at inopportune time here

The mercury didn't drop this fast the week before Christmas.The snow � all 80 inches of it � hasn't fallen with such force.

Zags sag in clutch

PHOENIX � The Gonzaga Bulldogs had won with big first halves, won with big second halves, won on the road, won after spending most of a big lead and won comfortably against quality opposition.

Washington State bounces back

SEATTLE � It was a defeat that hung in their throat. Sure, Gonzaga is the fourth-ranked team in the nation, but the way they played in Wednesday's home rout didn't sit well with the Washington State Cougars.

Zags take on Wildcats

PHOENIX � The question was bound to come up, particularly leading up to the Gonzaga-Arizona men's basketball game.

Cougars pleased to be playing in Seattle

SEATTLE � The weather has taken a turn toward winter. Final exams loom next week. And yet the Washington State basketball team boarded an airplane Friday and bounced across the mountains to play a home game here tonight against Montana State.

Bulldogs run away in 2nd half

PULLMAN � It can happen that quickly.In a little more than a minute early in the second half, just 76 seconds in fact, Gonzaga showed Washington State what Eastern Washington's best team is this season � and then just kept emphasizing the point.

John Blanchette: Gonzaga beats WSU at own game

PULLMAN � This sort of thing was supposed to be history when football season ended.OK, Washington State didn't get beat by 60 on Wednesday night.

Rochestie calls out the shots

PULLMAN � Taylor Rochestie was nearly finished with a lengthy interview.But there was one more elephant in the room that had yet to be discussed, so Washington State's senior point guard didn't wait for it to run him over. He grabbed it by the tusks.

Bulldogs, Cougars rivalry something to cherish

Sides have already been taken, and not only on reflex allegiances to what it might say on a uniform or a diploma.

Past Zags pitch in on scout team

This wasn't your ordinary scout team.No, not with Casey Calvary impersonating Washington State center Aron Baynes. And Matt Santangelo imitating Cougars point guard Taylor Rochestie. And Alex Hernandez mimicking WSU guard Nikola Koprivica. And Brian Michaelson knocking down a 3-pointer. And Colin Floyd taking some repetitions, pretending to be Rochestie.

Crafty Zags school young Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS � Josh Heytvelt and Jeremy Pargo taught Indiana's youngsters a few lessons about what it takes to win.

Baylor gets revenge on WSU

PULLMAN � There was a seen-it-before element to the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series game between the 24th-ranked Baylor Bears and the Washington State Cougars.

Few thinks IU will be better in time

Gonzaga's Mark Few has no doubt that friend and coaching counterpart Tom Crean will turn around Indiana basketball.

Transition team

PULLMAN � Every college football team has a "get back" coach. He's the guy who stands on the sideline, waving his arms and telling the players to "get back, get back," so the team isn't assessed a sideline infraction.

Zags get their latest basketball jones in Indy

The fascination with paying for a seat in one area code to watch a basketball game being played in another still eludes many of us, but then so do the concepts of "reality" television and $150 sneakers.

Zags hold off Eastern behind Shives, Bowman

Kelly Graves didn't have much problem pinpointing his basketball team's problems.There were too many turnovers, too many offensive rebounds and too many second-half fouls.

Stats continue to move up for Downs

Gonzaga senior guard Micah Downs can't explain it, but his statistics seem to.Downs is more comfortable starting games than coming off the bench. He has regained a starting position that he held for the first part of last season before Steven Gray cracked the first unit.

Cougars belt Bengals

PULLMAN � A cross-country trip Sunday that started before 3 a.m. PST. School back in session Monday. A sluggish practice.

Zags celebrate, but not too much

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. � Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few had a message for his players after their convincing 83-74 win over No. 12 Tennessee in the Old Spice Classic championship game Sunday.

Vols vanquished

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. � Gonzaga put it all together � dunks, 3-pointers, transition game, defense, toughness, composure � to take Tennessee apart Sunday night.

Cougars suffer first loss of season

NEWARK, N.J. � Six games into the 2008-09 basketball season, the Washington State Cougars finally learned what defeat is like.

Driving and dishing

NEWARK, N.J. � Washington State traveled here over Thanksgiving weekend to learn something.

No Joshin', Heytvelt looking good

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. � Different game, different venue, same questions. It's becoming a postgame ritual that Josh Heytvelt doesn't mind at all.

Patience pays off

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. � Ira Brown started it and the rest of the Gonzaga Bulldogs finished it.

Old Spice Classic

At Lake Buena Vista, Fla.Thursday's results ( Read the full story )

Exam time for WSU freshmen

PULLMAN � Remember how much you had to learn your freshman year in college? Where's the library? Who sells Top Ramen the cheapest? Which professor should you avoid?

Teams off to take on beasts in East

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. � Bigger tests figure to come down the road, but the Gonzaga men's basketball team should receive three rather large progress reports at the Old Spice Classic.

Tough on defense

PULLMAN � Washington State wasted little time Tuesday night showing Canisius College how big a gap there is between the two schools' basketball programs.

Gibbs suffers another setback

Grant Gibbs thought he was out of the woods. His right shoulder, which popped out of place at a Gonzaga men's basketball practice Nov. 10, was feeling better.

Cougars work outside in win

PULLMAN � Before Friday night's non-conference basketball game at Friel Court, Sacramento State's first-year coach Brian Katz made a pilgrimage.

Zags smother Vandals

There are few things more satisfying for a coach than seeing his team take a game plan from the drawing board and execute it on the basketball court.

Bulldogs thunder 'Jackets

Gonzaga built two large leads against Montana State University-Billings � one it nearly frittered away and one that kept getting larger.

Cougs romp in opener

PULLMAN � There came a time during Washington State's basketball opener Saturday night when coach Tony Bennett challenged his team to "play against the game."

Pargo knows it's put-up time

Jeremy Pargo could have said eager, but instead characterized himself as being anxious � and so we'll take him at his word.

Coaches are familiar even if teams aren't

Gonzaga and Montana State University-Billings have never met on the basketball court, but their coaches have a long-standing friendship.

Washington State's Australian connection

PULLMAN � Ben Johnson was just doing what he always did. He was headed into a local gym to lift weights.

Gonzaga back in top form

Gonzaga had just finished a 51-point exhibition victory over Wayne State when Josh Heytvelt noticed a familiar face in the McCarthey Athletic Center crowd.

Cougs get what they need from new recruits

PULLMAN � Washington State basketball coach Tony Bennett looked over the list of the four high school seniors who signed letters of intent to attend his school Wednesday and one thing stood out.

Women's basketball: Cougars have high hopes

Before June Daugherty ever coached a women's basketball game for Washington State, the veteran coach's arrival was heralded as "the new championship era."

Cougars tune up against Lewis-Clark

PULLMAN � It was an exhibition, after all. Which means, it seems, it was time for the Washington State Cougars to exhibit their talents.

Australian forward chooses WSU

PULLMAN � Australian power forward Brock Motum on Wednesday became the fourth high school senior to commit to Washington State, confirming his intention to sign a letter of intent with the Cougars next week.

Zags clean up in debut

There was any number of things to pick off the stat sheet that would have been positives, but Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few zeroed in on the No. 2.

Goodson a quick study

Demetri Goodson is fast, and apparently a fast learner.The true freshman point guard has made a swift impression at Gonzaga through the first week and a half of practice.

Zags emphasize tough stuff

It wasn't just their scoring, rebounding, defense, experience or leadership. Or their hard-nosed presence on the basketball court.

For the Zags, let the madness begin

The Gonzaga Bulldogs hold their first official basketball practice today and already senior guard Jeremy Pargo senses something different.

Deep Zags set sail

USA Today, ESPN.com, Dickie V. and any number of online prognosticators and preseason magazines seem to agree: The Gonzaga Bulldogs are about to embark on a special men's basketball season.

Cougars who swim

PULLMAN � Probably the men's basketball team would have made it to the Sweet 16 anyway. But there are researchers at Washington State University who like to think that training like ducks helped boost the Cougars to their greatest success in more than 60 years.

Chadwick commits to Cougars

PULLMAN – David Chadwick has known Washington State basketball coach Tony Bennett most of his life.

Minnesota prep forward commits to Gonzaga

Sam Dower's AAU basketball coach remembers the first time Gonzaga's coaching staff watched the 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward play.

Classic goes on without Dickau

When the fourth annual Spokane All-Americans Charity Classic basketball game tips off Thursday at the McCarthey Athletic Center, Dan Dickau will be somewhere in Italy but Spokane will be on his mind.

Dickau ponders European options

Dan Dickau could face a dilemma. Take less money and play in the NBA or possibly earn more money and play in Europe.

John Blanchette: Daye of Our Lives

You're all familiar with the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Looks like a stretch for Lakers to keep Turiaf

One way or another, restricted free agent Ronny Turiaf will get big money he was seeking after signing an offer sheet Thursday with the Golden State Warriors worth approximately $17 million over four years.

Weaver goes from from Coug to Cat

It was a little longer wait than he might have wanted, but Kyle Weaver finally heard his name called.

Pargo opts out of draft

Gonzaga junior point guard Jeremy Pargo has decided he wants to be a senior point guard.Pargo withdrew his name from NBA draft consideration Monday, the deadline day for underclassmen who haven't signed with an agent. The draft is June 26th.

Zags lose forward

Larry Gurganious, who saw limited playing time during two seasons with the Gonzaga men's basketball team, is transferring, likely to a school closer to his family in Oakland, Calif.

Pargo: It's first round or back to GU

LAKE BEUNA VISTA, Fla. � There's only one way Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo won't be back in Spokane for his senior season � if an NBA franchise promises to draft him in the first round.

Zags, WCC may trade Mondays for Thursdays

Gonzaga and the West Coast Conference appear to be ready to wave goodbye to ESPN's Big Monday and say hello to Thursday night telecasts.

Heytvelt recuperates from surgery

Gonzaga forward Josh Heytvelt, who missed the first 11 games of the 2007-08 season following surgery on a stress fracture in his right foot/ankle, had another operation on the same foot/ankle last week.

Junior commits to GU

Mangisto Arop, a 6-foot-5 guard from Canada, has orally committed to play for the Gonzaga University men's basketball team. He'll arrive in 2009.

Washington State signs Ferris' Casto

PULLMAN � DeAngelo Casto, Washington's high school basketball player of the year from Ferris High, has signed a letter of intent to play next season at Washington State University.

Pargo declares NBA draft eligibility

Gonzaga University junior guard Jeremy Pargo will declare himself eligible for the NBA draft, but doesn't plan on hiring an agent, which keeps open the option of returning for his senior season.

Cougars' Sauls will transfer

Washington State freshman guard Stephen Sauls, following a concussion which ended his season early in January, has been granted a release from the men's basketball program and plans to transfer to a school that is closer to his hometown in Missouri City, Texas, head coach Tony Bennett announced Wednesday.

Bennett's future remains in Pullman

Tony Bennett had heard enough. Enough of the rumors about LSU, Cal, Marquette, wherever. Enough of the phone ringing at his San Antonio hotel room. Enough of the contacts with recruits, friends, assistants, asking if he was leaving.

Bennett denies contact with Indiana

It didn't take long. The rumors of the demise of the Tony Bennett era at Washington State started early Saturday morning, with a report on FOXSports.com that Indiana University had offered Bennett its head basketball coaching position.

Offense abandons WSU in Sweet 16

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � In what arguably was the best men's basketball season in Washington State's history, the Cougars had no shot to get past the No. 1-ranked Tar Heels of North Carolina.

Hard loss leads to hard questions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � Is that all there is?Such a cruel and terrible question to ask, and even more so because the Washington State Cougars had to ask it of themselves, as well.

Baynes ends strong

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � By halftime of the NCAA East Regional semifinal, college basketball's likely Player of the Year had scored all of two points � both on free throws. Certainly it seemed like a recipe for disaster for top-ranked North Carolina.

WSU seniors face difficult truth of final game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � Like every college athlete, they knew it had to end someday. But never did they imagine it would be like this.

Heroes or Heels?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � At times, the contrast is so obvious that to mention it almost seems redundant.

John Blanchette: Cougs fine with role as unknowns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � Team Afterthought turned up at the North Carolina Invitational here Wednesday and took the place by shrug.

WSU-NC matchups

Guards ( Read the full story )

Area roundup: Cougars top Zags

Washington State's Chad Arnold worked six strong innings Tuesday as the host Cougars defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 6-2 in non-conference baseball action at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman.

Cougars' hard work pays off since loss at OSU

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � The chant started even before the clock had ticked to double zeroes."Thanks for practice, thanks for practice," the Stillwater, Okla., crowd repeated, over and over.

WSU's waters aren't quite uncharted

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � Not to poke a hole in the bottom of the boat, but these uncharted waters the Washington State Cougars are sailing? Well, they've been charted.

UC Davis dumps Gonzaga

Hot off the momentum of a four-game win streak, the Gonzaga Bulldogs (15-9) were not able to make it to five Monday, dropping an 8-2 decision to the host UC Davis (13-7) Aggies at Dobbins Stadium in the first Division I baseball game between the two schools.

Sweet 16 fan tickets gone

PULLMAN � Washington State University has no more tickets available for Cougars fans wanting to catch their men's basketball team in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 this week in Charlotte, N.C.

Cougars must brake Tar Heels' break

PULLMAN � Washington State men's basketball coach Tony Bennett reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

Slow start dooms the Zags

BOULDER, COLORADO _ Even with a terribly slow start and seemingly impossible defensive challenges, Gonzaga University women's basketball coach Kelly Graves was convinced that with typical shooting the Bulldogs would have played Colorado to the wire Monday.

Bring on the Tar Heels

They had just finished off Notre Dame in dominating fashion, easing to a 61-41 win Saturday.The Washington State Cougars had just earned the school's first trip to the Sweet 16. The last time WSU won twice in an NCAA tournament was in 1941 when only eight schools played and the Cougars reached the finals.

Seniors dictate play in romp that leads to Charlotte

DENVER � They had unfinished business. So the three seniors who have taken the Cougars so far decided to take Washington State's basketball team further than it's been before.

It's never been truer: Less is more

DENVER � If you were wondering, Bobby Knight can be just as polarizing a figure as a studio analyst as he was as a basketball coach.

Bennetts enjoy success together

DENVER � A crowd of reporters clustered in a dim vomitorium in the Pepsi Center, waiting for Washington State's locker room to open after the Cougars' 61-41 rout of Notre Dame on Saturday, when they were joined by a man without a notebook, camera or NCAA tournament credentials.

The big picture

DENVER � Tony Bennett isn't above a psychological ploy. A motivational tool. An edge. In fact, he looks for them. Saturday, he found one from an unexpected source: his wife, Laurel.

Curry too hot for Zags

RALEIGH, N.C. � It had been 39 years since Davidson won an NCAA men's basketball tournament game. It had been six seasons since anybody scored 40 points against Gonzaga.

Nothing could stop Curry

RALEIGH, N.C. � Select teams for a schoolyard pick-up game � without watching each other warm up � and Stephen Curry might well be the last player chosen.

They're the guys who do dirty work

DENVER � You can see them at every game, sitting at the end of the bench, ties on, clipboards and folding stools at the ready.

Braking for Irish

DENVER � When Tony Bennett looks at tape of Notre Dame, Washington State's opponent today in an NCAA East Regional second-round game, the WSU men's basketball coach sees a team in transition.

Gray puts on his own long-shot exhibition

RALEIGH, N.C. � Gonzaga's Steven Gray let it be known early that there would be more than one sharp-shooting guard on the RBC Center court Friday.

Cougars believe in how they're doing it

DENVER � When Washington State basketball player Robbie Cowgill steps up to the free- throw line, he talks to God.

Program can take another step by reaching Sweet 16

DENVER � And now it's time.College basketball has produced no more compelling fable these last couple of years than the rise of Washington State, which you could define as a painstaking overnight sensation.

4 Washington State vs. 5 Notre Dame

By the numbers

That magical feeling

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. � It wasn't like Jake Guild grew up with a scarcity of college basketball teams to follow. The University of North Carolina is here in his hometown. Duke University is eight miles away in Durham.

Second-half sensation

DENVER � Through the course of the season, Washington State's players have heard some impressive halftime speeches from coach Tony Bennett.

John Blanchette: Cougs gang up to join bullies

DENVER � On a day when the bracket bullies asserted their collective will on the huddled masses of the NCAA tournament � and in a particularly tedious fashion for something billed as madness � so did the Washington State Cougars.

Rochestie puts clamps on Jenkins

DENVER � It's easy to underestimate Taylor Rochestie.When he came out of Santa Barbara High he heard he was too short, too slow, just not good enough to play at the highest level of college basketball.

GU notebook: Giacoletti enjoys role

RALEIGH, N.C. � After taking two different teams to the NCAA men's basketball tournament as a head coach, Ray Giacoletti seems to be enjoying this year's return trip as an assistant.

Acclaim before game

RALEIGH, N.C. � If this game were to be decided by the ability of each team to praise the other, it'd probably end in a quadruple-overtime draw.

Zags state case in WNIT rout

Actions speak louder than words.Four days after being snubbed by the NCAA, Gonzaga routed UC Davis 81-60 in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament before 1,718 fans at McCarthey Athletic Center Thursday night.

Coug forwards are centers of attention

DENVER � The Harmelings were at a TGIFriday's in Salt Lake City when the NCAA announced where their son Daven's basketball team would be playing this week. Mary Harmeling didn't expect Washington State University to come to her home state of Colorado.

Cougs look to duck Eagles

DENVER � When preparing for a game with an unknown foe, it helps to draw on past opponents.

John Blanchette: Adams left lasting memory

DENVER � One morning last March, the face of De'Andre Adams was all over Spokane. He owned the town.

Acquaintances renewed in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. � The text message arrived on Gonzaga guard Matt Bouldin's cell phone shortly after the NCAA pairings were announced Sunday.

Fatigue won't be a factor for GU

RALEIGH, N.C. � When No. 7-seeded Gonzaga steps on the floor against No. 10 Davidson on Friday, it will mark 10 days between games for both teams � the longest break of GU's season.

WNIT is A-OK with Gonzaga

Once the basketball is in play, initials won't matter.That's what the Gonzaga women's team is counting on for tonight's matchup with UC Davis in the first round of the Women's NIT at McCarthey Athletic Center.

Lot of GU in Davidson

They like to run the court. Typically use a nine-man rotation. Possess ample NCAA tournament experience. Dominate a conference that flies under the national radar. Schedule without fear of the name on the opponents' jersey. Guard driven, including the conference player of the year.

Cougs, Zags both ranked heading into tournament

North Carolina, the overall No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament, finished No. 1 Monday in the Associated Press' final men's poll of the season.

WSU, Winthrop similar

PULLMAN � When he saw his school's name appear on the NCAA tournament bracket Sunday, Winthrop coach Randy Peele quickly looked at the line immediately above the Eagles.

Cougs display quick tempo

PULLMAN � It was fast-paced, it was different and the Cougars had fun. It was the first day of spring ball for the Washington State football team under a new coaching staff.

Snubbed by NCAA, GU at home in women's NIT

The spacious Gonzaga locker room was like a small cage and Bulldogs women's basketball coach Kelly Graves was the tiger, pacing endlessly late Monday afternoon.

Cougars lose to Sooners after three wins

The Washington State baseball team fell to Oklahoma 14-2 on Sunday to wrap up a non-conference four-game series with No. 25 Oklahoma at Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla.

Bulldogs to play Davidson in Wildcats' backyard

Plenty of newspaper ink will be spilled over the fact that Gonzaga, as a seventh seed, will play No. 10 Davidson in the Wildcats' backyard in an NCAA tournament opener Friday, and rightfully so.

No. 4 Cougars play midmajor success story Winthrop

PULLMAN � Last year everything was shiny and new. This year the luster is still there, but the novelty is not.

John Blanchette: Committee should learn to read compass

So many teams, so much data, so many natural disasters, so little time.Here's a toast to the good men and woman on the NCAA tournament selection committee, the impossible job they have in selecting, seeding and siting the 65-team bracket and how well they do despite the odds.

Not a bad consolation prize

LOS ANGELES � Washington State didn't get its opportunity to play for the Pac-10 tournament men's basketball title Saturday. Instead the Cougars will receive a consolation prize today: a second consecutive NCAA tournament berth.

Lopez does in Cougs

LOS ANGELES � Twice during the regular season Washington State played the Stanford Cardinal.

Was it just a Pac of lies?

LOS ANGELES � So whatever became of the dog-eat-dog, grindhouse, coach-killing, take-that-Billy-Packer, best college basketball conference in America?

Cougars dispatch Ducks

LOS ANGELES � This is, in a sense, a David vs. Goliath tale, told with some subtle subtext.

John Blanchette: Cougars keep refs out of it

LOS ANGELES � Had this one been any closer, the referees would have had to decide it.

NCAA tourney tickets scarce for WSU, GU

NCAA tournament tickets for Washington State and Gonzaga men's basketball fans will be scarce if their teams receive berths.

Cougs expect tough game vs Ducks

LOS ANGELES � There is a certain symmetry here. After years of frustration, the Washington State Cougars finally scratched the itch caused by loss after loss to the University of Oregon. Losses marked by the irritation of knowing a play here, a call there, and the annoyance would end.

Stop worrying! Zags are a lock for NCAA tournament

SAN DIEGO � Among other afflictions, the Gonzaga basketball creature suffers from a charming � or maddening � latency. For example:

Anybody's Pac-10 tourney

LOS ANGELES � The Pacific Life Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball tournament, which begins this evening at the Staples Center, is truly a case of the haves versus the have-nots.

Zags women play waiting game

The garage is clean. The yard work that can be done has been done."I'm trying to do anything to take my mind off the next week," Gonzaga women's basketball coach Kelly Graves said. "The garage and outside the house � those are the only things my wife trusts me with. (Portland coach) Jim Sollars wants me to come down and go golfing, but that's only one day."

Toreros subdue Zags

SAN DIEGO � There is no statistical category in the box score for desire, hustle, effort, want-to, whatever you want to call it. But rebounding probably comes closest to defining those intangibles that often spell the difference between winning and losing.

Four Cougs gain All-Pac-10 honors

PULLMAN � It wasn't the best year to be an upperclassman in Pac-10 Conference men's basketball.

Heytvelt spells GU

SAN DIEGO � Gonzaga didn't have its A game � maybe not even its C game � but the Bulldogs played a substantial amount of 'D' in the second half, they saw a glimpse of the old Josh Heytvelt and they made free throws in the last nine minutes.

Ideal end at Friel

PULLMAN � When it was finally done � the game, the regular season and, for the three key players in Washington State's basketball renaissance, their games in Beasley Coliseum � the Cougars didn't want to leave Friel Court.

Zags get semifinals date with Broncos

SAN DIEGO � Gonzaga will begin the West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament where it left off in the regular season.

What ever happened to Josh Heytvelt, anyway?

SAN DIEGO � By finding overdrive on the on-ramp to the West Coast Conference tournament, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have shelved � temporarily at least � the most popular and angst-laden parlor game of 2008.

It's Dons or Broncos

SAN DIEGO � Gonzaga will meet No. 4-seeded Santa Clara or No. 5 San Francisco in the West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament semifinals.

Fitting finish for Cougars seniors

PULLMAN � It took Washington State's group of seniors a while to understand this University of Washington rivalry thing.

GU women advance

SAN DIEGO � This wasn't your typical No. 1 seed vs. No. 8 in a conference tournament opener. The top-seeded Gonzaga women's basketball team defeated Pepperdine twice during the regular season, but neither was easy.

John Blanchette: Hard to say goodbye to Cougars trio

So here comes their last home game, and maybe it's true that you can't say enough about the seniors who changed the face of basketball at Washington State.

GU soph Bowman is heart and soul of Zags

The focal point of the Bulldogs is truly the focal point of the Bulldogs. Heather Bowman may be the MVP and leading scorer in the West Coast Conference, but she is a target for more than passes from her Gonzaga teammates.

Bulldogs wrap up eighth straight WCC title

Gonzaga wasn't in the mood to share.The Bulldogs scored the first 12 points and cruised past Santa Clara 88-54 Monday night, wrapping up an outright West Coast Conference men's basketball championship and sending seniors David Pendergraft and Abdullahi Kuso out on a winning note in their final home game before an appreciative audience of 6,000 at McCarthey Athletic Center.

Bulldogs sweep awards

Gonzaga wasn't quite perfect during the West Coast Conference women's basketball season and the postseason doesn't start until Thursday when the top-seeded Bulldogs meet Pepperdine.

Zags try to tame Broncos

Sophomore guard Matt Bouldin rattled off three reasons why Gonzaga should be highly motivated for tonight's regular-season finale against Santa Clara.

Area women: Bulldogs romp past Gaels

Heather Bowman scored a game-high 20 points and Courtney Vandersloot finished with a double-double � 15 points, game-high 11 rebounds � to propel the Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 79-63 victory over the Saint Mary's Gaels in West Coast Conference play Saturday in Moraga, Calif.

Zags clinch another WCC title

NCAA tournament resumes, Bracketology and bubbles aren't big in Gonzaga coach Mark Few's vocabulary.

John Blanchette: Pargo, Zags defend their turf

Here's a head fake from Jeremy Pargo we didn't bite on earlier this week, during the angst-filled run-up to the Battle of the Bottom of the Top 25 between Gonzaga and Saint Mary's:

Cougars can't hang on

STANFORD, Calif. � It was right there � an upset victory over the nation's eighth-ranked men's basketball team before 7,329 at Maples Pavilion.

Zags, Gaels play for share of championship

Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few was visiting with Portland State counterpart Ken Bone outside the Bulldogs' locker room following GU's win over Portland at the Chiles Center on Monday.

Chatwood's blasts lead GU

Standing just 5-foot-7 and weighing, maybe, a biscuit more than 160 pounds, Jason Chatwood is hardly your prototypical power hitter.

Bowman scores 30 for Zags

Heather Bowman scored 30 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Gonzaga Bulldogs to an 80-71 West Coast Conference women's basketball victory over the Santa Clara Broncos at Santa Clara, Calif.

Cougars get offensive

BERKELEY, Calif. � Maybe short-handed is the way to go.The first time Washington State met California, the Golden Bears played without starting center DeVon Hardin and won.

Center Court: David Pendergraft as the ultimate Zag

The Gonzaga-San Diego game had been over for 30 minutes when Bulldogs senior forward David Pendergraft approached first-year Toreros coach and former GU assistant Bill Grier in a hallway inside the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

WSU must find answers to Anderson

PULLMAN � The question is simple, the answer complex. How do you stop Cal's Ryan Anderson?

Pilots give Zags a fit

PORTLAND � The final score was to Gonzaga's liking. The first 30 minutes, not so much. Gonzaga rallied past upset-minded Portland 73-51 before a crowd of 4,527 at the Chiles Center on Monday night, a result that didn't seem to correspond with how the West Coast Conference men's basketball game was unfolding deep into the second half.

Pilots' Nik similar to big brother Derek

PORTLAND � No matter the sport or activity � basketball, bikes, football or video games � if there was a score to be kept or a time to beat, the Raivio brothers would go at it full throttle. They might not have realized it at the time, but those 1-on-1 games on the backyard court made both Derek and Nik better players.

Double trouble

PULLMAN � One time can possibly be dismissed. But two times? That's a trend. A trend that is tough for Washington State's basketball team to stomach.

WSU rolls in Cougar gold

PULLMAN � It was just more than four years ago that Tony Bennett walked down the tunnel into Beasley Coliseum for his first game at Washington State and pulled back the black curtain.

Cougs owe themselves

PULLMAN � Near the top of any college basketball coach's motivational toolbox is a drawer labeled revenge. An early-season loss is always tucked just inside, waiting to be brought out when needed to ratchet up the intensity for a late-season meeting.

Cougars reach record low

Sybil Dosty scored 14 points and Lauren Lacey added 12 as Arizona State beat Washington State 59-30 Thursday night at Tempe, Ariz., holding the Cougars to the lowest point total in Pac-10 women's basketball history.

WSU triumphs with bedeviling defense

PULLMAN � So now we know. Tony Bennett is prescient. At least Washington State's basketball coach was Thursday night.

Cougs, Cardinal game on FSN

Fox Sports Network announced Thursday the Washington State at Stanford men's basketball game as the selection for the March 1 wild-card game.

Baynes' dunk delivers

PULLMAN � By now, there is a general consensus as to what basketball at Washington State is.

Bulldogs coach still has plenty of work left

Mark Few protested. He suggested alternatives, ranging from assistant coaches to players. He tried to deflect the attention elsewhere.

WSU recruit Michael Harthun can really play

EUGENE, Ore. � Late in the first quarter of a 70-62 win over South Eugene High last Friday, South Medford's Michael Harthun attacked the middle of the Axemen's zone with the dribble.

Bulldogs survive

SAN DIEGO � It was the kind of game where a couple of West Coast Conference player-of-the-year candidates couldn't buy a field goal and a 90-percent free-throw shooter clanked a pair after a technical foul. The kind of game where both offenses never were in sync and neither team could make enough baskets to sustain a game-turning run.

Long time coming

EUGENE, Ore. � It has been 66 years since Washington State's men's basketball team has won 20 games in back-to-back seasons.

Bulldogs run past Dons

SAN FRANCISCO � It's an old line, that the turning point of the game was the opening tip. Gonzaga waited a bit longer than that. About 16 seconds, to be precise.

Climbing the wall

SAN FRANCISCO � One could never tell by glancing at his statistics, but Gonzaga's Austin Daye ran into the so-called wall that college freshmen supposedly encounter as they adjust from the shorter high school basketball season.

Mac Court experience awaits Cougs

EUGENE, Ore. � Don't count Robbie Cowgill among those who will be sad to see Macarthur Court torn down. Or Kyle Weaver. Or any of the Washington State Cougar seniors.

Zag fans blast uniform choice

We teeter on the outer edge of a perfect storm.Tonight at 5, the Gonzaga Bulldogs play at the University of San Francisco, which means there's a 50-50 chance that the Zags will dress out in their heat-seeking red road uniforms rather than the more soothing navy blue.

Cougs slog way to road victory

CORVALLIS, Ore. � There have been times this Pac-10 men's basketball season when Washington State has played pretty well � and lost.

Color Zags winners

Pink became red at McCarthey Athletic Center Thursday night.On Think Pink night, an occasion to raise awareness of breast cancer, the Gonzaga women's basketball team embarrassed San Francisco 90-42.

Area Roundup: Pargo earns WCC honor

Gonzaga men's basketball player Jeremy Pargo was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week after leading the Bulldogs to home victories over Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount.

Morrison on schedule

The game certainly wasn't much to look at, so Adam Morrison took the opportunity to pick somebody's brain.

Elliott provides steady hand for GU

As the consummate team player, Michelle Elliott wanted to build something.As a fierce competitor, she wanted to win.

Gonzaga completes homestand by routing Lions

For Gonzaga, the regular-season finish line is approaching fast, with just five games remaining. That means there isn't much time left to even out the wrinkles as the Bulldogs pursue an eighth straight West Coast Conference title and try to hit the postseason with momentum.

Cougs stifle Trojans

PULLMAN � No blowups, no ranting, no outbursts. Despite a three-game losing streak, Washington State men's basketball coach Tony Bennett kept it under control. The Cougars fortunes, he felt, were about to change.

One-sided win

There really isn't much question that a sizable gulf exists between the top teams and the bottom teams in the West Coast Conference.

With Weaver on court it's hold the Mayo

PULLMAN � Enough of the cumulative bummer of the losing streak and the shooting guard's shooting hiccups. Enough of the slowly descending tournament seed, the big fella's foul habit, the out-of-character late-game breakdowns.

All the Zags have to be go-to guys

Perhaps as well as any basketball coach, Gonzaga's Mark Few knows the pluses and minuses of having an offense that relies on one or two primary scorers and one that relies on balance.

Henry accepts his role

PULLMAN � Ask WSU basketball player Chris Henry why he goes through the daily practice grind with little hope of seeing the court during games, and he doesn't hesitate with his answer.

Same old Bruins: WSU fades in 2nd half

PULLMAN � Sometimes the recent matchups between Washington State and UCLA have been decided late. Sometimes they have been decided in the first few minutes.

Cougs outline steps for getting back on track

PULLMAN � As the Pac-10 basketball season moves into its second half tonight, the Washington State Cougars find themselves in a third-place logjam.

Freshman answers call for Bulldogs

Gonzaga freshman guard Steven Gray's cell phone isn't working and he's in no hurry to get it fixed, so he doesn't know how many calls or text messages he received after he made two free throws Saturday to force overtime against Santa Clara.

Gaels outlast Zags

MORAGA, Calif. – Forty minutes wasn't enough to decide this West Coast Conference men's basketball thriller.

Weekend, chances lost

PULLMAN � In a game of lost opportunities in a weekend of the same, Washington State's men's basketball team did a couple of things Saturday it hasn't done all year.

Bulldogs halfway to conference perfection

Gonzaga sent a message Saturday afternoon, reaching the midpoint of the West Coast Conference women's basketball schedule with a perfect record.

Bulldogs prevail in 2OT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. � The inbounds pass was in midair and the ball was headed toward the opposite free-throw line, some 65 feet away from Gonzaga's basket. The Bulldogs trailed by two points with just a few seconds left and junior point guard Jeremy Pargo couldn't help but think the worst.

Cougs can't make it too fine a point

Hmm. Looks like Camelot could use a new coat of paint.That's one prescription, anyway.

Cougs hope formula still adds up

PULLMAN � In the year and a half Washington State's basketball program has thrust itself into the national spotlight, the Cougars have lost just 11 games.

Broncos don't figure

SANTA CLARA, Calif. � The numbers don't quite add up.Crunch Santa Clara's statistics and it would appear the Broncos are a top 75 team, perhaps top 50. In six key statistical categories, Santa Clara ranks in the top one-third of Division I schools and much higher in field-goal percentage (16th nationally), 3-point percentage (29th), scoring defense (43rd) and rebounding (53rd).

Cougars tripped up

PULLMAN � Tony Bennett will tell anyone who will listen about the fine line the Washington State Cougars walk.

Slam dunk! Zags rout Pilots, take WCC lead

There was no post-Memphis haze, no second-half letdown and it was no contest on the boards.All the pre-tipoff worries Gonzaga had entering Monday's West Coast Conference basketball game dissolved quickly as the Bulldogs went up big in the first half and stayed on the throttle while dismantling the Portland Pilots 79-41 before a sellout crowd of 6,000 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Memphis blues again

MEMPHIS � Gonzaga has yet to put together 40 minutes of consistent basketball in a game, but often this season 30-35 minutes has been enough to claim a victory.

Cougars avoid desert sweep

TEMPE, Ariz. � First some context. Last season, Washington State survived a one-point decision against Arizona State here when then-freshman Christian Polk missed a 3-pointer as time expired.

Zags try luck at No. 1 Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. � There is little question Gonzaga has improved the last three weeks, winning six straight games with a relatively healthy roster.

Cougars face big task

TEMPE, Ariz. � One thing about being in the sun: complexions change.Such is the case with tonight's Washington State basketball game here in the Valley of the Sun.

Indefensible Cougs

TUCSON, Ariz. � Tony Bennett let the thought trail off."You play on the road in this league, if you don't come with a defensive mindset that holds you in there �" the Washington State basketball coach said before pausing, then shifting gears.

Depth defines Tigers

Memphis men's basketball coach John Calipari was on a 20-minute conference call Tuesday morning and only a couple of times did the conversation turn to Tulsa, the team the Tigers defeated Wednesday, or Gonzaga, which visits the FedEx Forum on Saturday.

Sharpshooter born

PULLMAN � Growing up in Hawaii, Derrick Low wasn't a hunter. No, that had to wait until he got to the Palouse.

Bulldogs forward slowly returns to form

Gonzaga junior forward Josh Heytvelt has played in eight games since recovering from foot surgery. He's averaging 11.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and was shooting better than 50 percent before making just 1 of 6 shots in Monday's win over San Francisco.

Gonzaga denies Dons

Eddie Sutton has won 799 games in his 37-year college coaching career, but he hasn't had much luck against the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

WSU finally has its day with Ducks

PULLMAN � For the past four years, all Washington State coach Tony Bennett could do was watch.

Frenzied Finish: Zags clutch after Toreros cut into lead

First Bill Grier came back and then so did his San Diego Toreros. Gonzaga scored the first 15 points of the game and cruised to a 21-point lead midway through the second half, but San Diego, with considerable help from the Bulldogs, made GU squirm in the final two minutes before falling 80-70 in front of a sellout crowd of 6,000 Saturday at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Cougs want Ducks off their backs

PULLMAN � Ask any Cougar fan about last year's 77-74 overtime home men's basketball loss to the University of Oregon and words usually start flowing that can't be printed here � or uttered on Cinemax for that matter.

Grier reluctantly visits other family

Three minutes to tipoff and no Bill Grier.He had spent a week in fairly intense dread of this game and nine months before that knowing the dread was en route. He would later call the experience "like a root canal, honestly." He acknowledged that his hopes veered wildly from a program-establishing win to not having the Kennel Club chant "Up by thir-ty!" at him.

Happy homecoming: Cougars drub visiting OSU

PULLMAN � Needing to rebound from its first loss of the season, Washington State couldn't have asked for a better Pac-10 men's basketball opponent. Or a better place.

Cougs' sharp-shooting forward joins the club

Four weeks ago Daven Harmeling was struggling with his outside shot, connecting on just 19 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Bulldogs coast past Waves

MALIBU, Calif. � Layups, putbacks, dunks, easy transition baskets, 3-pointers and more layups � and that was just in the first 8 minutes.

Forrest gets cut after loss

PULLMAN � Next time you see Washington State University's eighth�ranked basketball team play, check out Caleb Forrest's hair. Yes, his hair.

Zags roll in WCC opener

LOS ANGELES � Loyola Marymount men's basketball coach Rodney Tention stressed earlier this week that his team needed to keep the score in the 60s to have a chance against Gonzaga.

Bruins hand No. 4 Cougars first loss � and reality check

LOS ANGELES � Since James Naismith hung the peach basket in the Springfield Y, rarely has a basketball game's final score held less significance.

Gaels next to challenge

Several programs have surfaced over the past decade to challenge Gonzaga's domination of men's basketball in the West Coast Conference. Pepperdine was a consistent threat from the late 1990s through 2002. San Diego has made runs.

How big is this? Cougs face Bruins in well-hyped game

LOS ANGELES � In all the 50 times Washington State has met the UCLA Bruins here, none has met with as much hype as this morning's game.

John Blanchette: Be nice if GU wasn't in league of own

Has Gonzaga become hazardous to the health of the West Coast Conference?Hey, someone had to ask.

Zags open WCC against Lion cubs

LOS ANGELES � Rodney Tention has no desire to become a two-sport coach.He has plenty of work on his hands trying to rebuild Loyola Marymount men's basketball team, which entertains Gonzaga tonight at Gersten Pavilion in a West Coast Conference opener for both teams. The young Lions are 3-13 in Tention's third season as head coach and have fought a season-long battle with turnovers.

WCC capsules

Following, in predicted order of finish, are summaries of all the WCC men's basketball teams. (Current records in parentheses.)

WSU takes offense

LOS ANGELES � Most of the time the Washington State men's basketball team wins games with its defense.

WCC season to tip off

Gonzaga men's basketball has owned the West Coast Conference the past decade. This season Saint Mary's may have something to say about that.

Defensive WSU nips Huskies

SEATTLE � If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the Washington State Cougars should consider themselves flattered. Because they almost got flattened a few times Saturday night by the new-look Washington Huskies.

Gonzaga wins despite rocky twist at end

For some of the longest stretches of the season, Gonzaga seemed more in sync at both ends of the court while posting a 75-67 victory over Georgia on Saturday.

Left-hander's compliment

PULLMAN � The first time Washington State basketball coach Tony Bennett heard a report on Taylor Rochestie, it came back positive, in a fashion.

Gonzaga's work in progress resumes

The calendar says Gonzaga is closing in on the midpoint of the season and its West Coast Conference opener is just a week away. The reality is the Bulldogs' roster in its current form is roughly three weeks old and the team is a work in progress.

Zags-Georgia on KAYU

Gonzaga University's men's basketball game on Saturday against the University of Georgia at the Arena will be televised by KAYU-TV Fox 28 in the Spokane area.

Rescuing the Bulldogs

Without Josh Heytvelt in the first half and Matt Bouldin in the second half, the Gonzaga Bulldogs probably would be without their 10th win of the season.

Content Giacoletti facing former Utah team tonight

It's not that Ray Giacoletti recommends being fired. Who would? It's humiliating, insulting, devastating.

Cougs' rise from hoops oblivion

SEATTLE � Tony Bennett walked into a silent locker room inside Sacramento's Arco Arena in March. He was about to cry.

John Blanchette: 'A' game abandons Bulldogs

SEATTLE � A quick poll: Who among you sized up Gonzaga's 2008 schedule and picked out the upcoming Utah and Georgia games as the pivotal, must-have resume-polishers?

Zags sunk in Seattle

SEATTLE � For Gonzaga, the second half of the Battle in Seattle was more of a battle to keep from getting blown out.

Bulldogs will battle for a big victory

SEATTLE � By this time last season, Gonzaga had wins over nationally ranked North Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Cougs' sweep complete

PULLMAN � WSU finished it's nonconference play Friday night with a dominating effort, limiting North Carolina A&T to 12 first-half points and breezing to a 67-34 win.

Zags regain health

It didn't take long for Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few to add up the number of practices he's had all of his players available.

No. 7 Cougars stifle Bengals

POCATELLO, Idaho � It would have been perfectly understandable for the Washington State men's basketball team to bring a less than enthusiastic attitude into Holt Arena on Sunday.

Cougs face ISU minus Harmeling

Washington State will not only be facing Idaho State on the road today, they'll also be without 6-foot-7 junior Daven Harmeling, the Cougars' sixth man.

GU box score

For Friday, December 21, 2007.

Keyed-up Cougs

SEATTLE � Even Tony Bennett was impressed. No, not by his team's defensive-fueled 67-45 rout of The Citadel on Thursday night, though he wasn't about to throw it back.

Sooners wait until later to upset Zags

OKLAHOMA CITY � Gonzaga is getting healthier, but the second half of Thursday night's game against Oklahoma made Bulldogs coach Mark Few feel a bit queasy.

Ford return gives GU fond memories

Time has only reinforced Mark Few's opinion. When the Bulldogs knocked off Oklahoma State in 2004, Few called it as "impressive a regular-season effort as we've ever had."

Perfect Cougs can improve

PULLMAN � The Washington State men's basketball team is in the midst of its longest layoff in the Tony Bennett era.

Cougs face Key game in Seattle

PULLMAN � With an 11-day layoff in the rear-view mirror, the Washington State Cougars take to the road once more � to play a home game.

Gonzaga notebook: Together at last

The return of Steven Gray on Monday gave Gonzaga its first chance to see its three highly-touted freshmen on the court together in a regular-season game.

Gray shines in debut

The timing of Steven Gray's broken wrist in an exhibition game in early November was unfortunate, but the timing of his return was just about ideal for the Gonzaga University men's basketball team.

WSU outlasts stubborn Portland State

PULLMAN � Sunday night was special for Washington State junior center Aron Baynes. Not only were the undefeated Cougars hosting Portland State in a non-conference game at Beasley Coliseum, it was also his 21st birthday.

Rest follows rout

Matt Bouldin wouldn't mind getting rid of the cold that's been hounding him since Gonzaga's trip to Anchorage. Jeremy Pargo has a couple of important finals early next week.

GU plays surging CS Northridge

The Gonzaga men's basketball team, minus Theo Davis, returns to action against Cal State Northridge (6-1), which is off to its best start in nearly two decades, tonight at 5 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Cougs heel Dogs: Defense gives WSU the edge

Washington State kept it simple in its men's basketball showdown with Gonzaga on Wednesday night: Patiently work for quality shots and challenge every offensive look.

John Blanchette: Cougs real deal in unreal week

There was no making much sense of anything this week.Television. Ticket scalping. Tent cities. Everything was pretty much over the top or beyond making sense in advance of Washington State and Gonzaga meeting in the game that was going to rock Spokane, if not the country.

Cougs-Zags: 'a huge deal'

Find your game. It sounded a little like an old advertisement for a brand of golf clubs, which is somewhat appropriate since Tony Bennett has a formidable golf swing.

John Blanchette: Time to resume something that's right for the area

Has there ever been a more unlikely hero in a basketball game than Duane Ranniger?

Bulldogs snarl at fatigue

BOSTON � Junior guard Jeremy Pargo was asked why Gonzaga wasn't feeling fatigued, given that the team had just endured a five-game, nine-day stretch of basketball.

gonzaga-uconn stats

For Sunday, December 02, 2007.

Road-weary Gonzaga, UConn battle in Boston

BOSTON � Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun generously offered to play tour guide for Gonzaga's well-traveled men's basketball team on its two-game East Coast swing.

Cougars deny Baylor

WACO, Tex. � They had, according to coach Tony Bennett, misplaced their identity somewhere between Eastern Washington and central Texas and couldn't find it in the first half.

Bulldogs never doubt

PHILADELPHIA � Gonzaga was down by six with 3 minutes and 37 seconds left when the Bulldogs huddled during a timeout. The 3,200 crammed inside Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, loud from the start, had never been louder, sensing a ranked opponent was on the ropes.

WSU rides into Bears' loud den

WACO, Texas � The road can be an unkind place. The only non-conference loss the Washington State men's basketball team suffered last season came in early December against Utah in Salt Lake City.

Zags expect another dilly in Philly

PHILADELPHIA � At last count, Saint Joseph's basketball coach Phil Martelli said 17 NBA scouts have requested credentials for tonight's game against No. 19 Gonzaga.

Bench marks sought

PULLMAN � Every college basketball coach starts a season with a checklist filled with concerns. It's the nature of the profession.

Cougars solve Falcons

A shooter who isn't going well will try just about anything to bust out. Washington State's Derrick Low is no different. Only his solution might have been.

Cougars keep on rolling at Challenge

It turned out Washington State's second game in the three-day Cougar Hispanic College Fund Challenge wasn't one.

Bulldogs answer Few's challenges

ANCHORAGE � Gonzaga's Abdullahi Kuso got on the elevator at the team hotel Saturday and received a message from head coach Mark Few about taking shots on his own terms.

Offense fails Zags

ANCHORAGE, Alaska � For the second night, Gonzaga had the support of the majority of the 8,000-fans, but this time the Bulldogs didn't give the fans much reason to cheer.

Cougs slow, but still sure

There's been two areas in which the ninth-ranked Washington State Cougars have been consistent this season.

Bennett looks for progress

Like everyone else, Washington State basketball coach Tony Bennett has a wish list he hopes to fill by Christmas.

Bulldogs eke it out

ANCHORAGE, Alaska � The adversity kept mounting for the Gonzaga men's basketball team. The foul trouble to key players. The errant free-throw and 3-point shooting.

Avalanche of talent at Shootout

It's business as usual for Eastern Washington. Business is about to pick up for Gonzaga. Both men's basketball programs are in Anchorage for the Great Alaska Shootout.

Gonzaga extends trends in third win

It's just three games, but some trends appear to be emerging for the Gonzaga men's basketball team.

That's enough of that

PULLMAN � Three games into the basketball season, the Washington State Cougars figured it was time to announce their presence. To themselves.

Bulldogs awaken

As wake-up calls go, this one lasted a long time. Somewhere around 25 minutes, even longer if you count warm-ups.

Cougars need motivation

BOISE � Despite a sluggish start, despite not playing what guard Taylor Rochestie termed Washington State basketball for most of the first half, despite a defensive effort coach Tony Bennett criticized, despite all that ... WSU opened the road portion of the 2007-08 season with an 86-74 win over Boise State in front of 6,718 at the Taco Bell Arena.

Zags soar

Battered, but far from beaten.Gonzaga, which was hit recently with a wave of difficult news, learning that Josh Heytvelt and Steven Gray will have surgery within the next 48 hours and Theo Davis' father is gravely ill in Toronto, relied on its considerable depth and the steady hands of guards Jeremy Pargo and Matt Bouldin to dismantle Montana 77-54 Sunday in front of a sellout crowd of 6,000 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Gut aches aside, Bulldogs make do

Every Gonzaga basketball season seems to begin with mood disturbances that border on the bipolar. Sometimes there's another jolt in the middle, too.

Beat-up Zags host revved-up Grizzlies

Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few has read and seen enough to know his Bulldogs face a significant challenge today from the Montana Grizzlies.

Cougars play part well

PULLMAN � At halftime Friday night, Eastern Washington coach Kirk Earlywine wasn't discouraged or disappointed in how his team was playing.

Zags exhibit swagger

Several accomplished men's basketball programs across the nation have had troubles dealing with NCAA Division II opponents over the last week. In the first half Wednesday, Gonzaga experienced similar difficulties against D-II Emporia State.

New game in town

Ira Brown brings some unique qualities to the Gonzaga men's basketball team. A 97-mph fastball. A 365-pound bench press. A YouTube highlight from his junior-college days in which he jumps over an opposing player and dunks. And a birth certificate that was issued seven years before some of his teammates'.

Cougars open with win

PULLMAN � According to the score, the 10th-ranked WSU men's basketball team's exhibition win over Lewis-Clark State was the expected rout.

Injured Morrison remains upbeat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. � An hour before the Charlotte Bobcats' season opener Friday night, Adam Morrison was at his locker dressed in a suit.

As always, surprises could pop up in Pac-10

LOS ANGELES � Arizona State coach Herb Sendek stepped up to the podium at Thursday's Pac-10 basketball media day and began to speak.

Cougs earn second chance

LOS ANGELES � The Washington State Cougars were picked to finish second in the Pac-10 on Thursday by the media members who cover the conference.

Fast Break

WSU unveiled the nation's 10th-ranked men's basketball team Saturday in an scrimmage and there were about 3,000 stars � the 3,000 or so who showed up at Bohler Gym.

One Krazy night

Gonzaga true freshman guard Steven Gray had been waiting for this for two years. He hadn't been to a GU home game or felt the noise generated at the McCarthey Athletic Center during the recruiting process.

Area roundup: Two Cougs on Wooden watch

Washington State University seniors Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver are among the 50 preseason candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, the nation's most coveted college basketball award, the Los Angeles Athletic Club's Wooden Award Committee announced Wednesday.

Comeback sits well with Cougs

PULLMAN � Nikola Koprivica drove the lane, something the 18-year-old had done many, many times before. But this time the landing was different.

Heytvelt's return takes longer than expected

It appears the timetable for Gonzaga University basketball forward Josh Heytvelt's return to practice will be pushed back.

Gonzaga immersed in depth

At the outset of every season, Gonzaga men's basketball coach Mark Few tends to have a fairly concrete idea of his starters, rotations and who might redshirt.

A real come-back

The issuing of practice gear is generally a routine procedure at college basketball programs across the country. Established veterans barely raise an eye during the process.

Familiar Cougars change with experience

PULLMAN � When Washington State's men's basketball team takes the practice floor tonight at 7 to officially begin the 2007-08 season, there will be plenty of familiar faces.

Dickau seeks long-term home with Clippers

PORTLAND � It's good to be wanted, Dan Dickau thinks one week into his new job, point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Zags' opening practice may be without Heytvelt, Pendergraft

The Gonzaga men's basketball team is scheduled to open practice Friday at 7 p.m., but a couple of players might be spectators or see limited duty.

Rochestie helps WSU land Florida recruit

The Washington State Cougars were out of basketball scholarships to offer recruits next season.

Point guard Goodson commits to Gonzaga

Point guard Demetri Goodson, ranked in the top 150 for the class of 2008 by several basketball recruiting services, has orally committed to Gonzaga.

Cougs spent summer in hoops training

Basketball is supposed to be a winter sport. But for four Washington State Cougars, summer turned to winter and stayed that way for a couple of months.

Summer school

Gonzaga University's Jeremy Pargo and Matt Bouldin are a little past the age at which they're required to write "What I did on summer break" papers when they returned to school.

Ex-Zag Frahm signs with Suns

The Phoenix Suns have added former Gonzaga guard Richie Frahm to their training camp roster.

Zags set tough schedule

Gonzaga is guaranteed of meeting at least three teams that played in last year's NCAA Tournament, the school announced while releasing its 2007-08 men's basketball schedule on Thursday.

Heytvelt works toward return

Suspended GU basketball standout Josh Heytvelt has completed nearly 300 hours of community service � 57 1/4 hours more than was required when he entered a diversion program.

Area Roundup: ESPN has 12 GU dates

The Gonzaga men's basketball team will make at least 12 appearances on the ESPN family of stations this upcoming season, while the Bulldogs women will appear for the third time in the past two seasons.

WCC tournaments could be Vegas-bound

The West Coast Conference is exploring the possibility of holding its men's and women's basketball tournaments at a neutral site in Las Vegas, possibly as early as 2009.

Fews announce success

Last weekend's Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Classic & BasketBALL Gala, hosted by Gonzaga University men's basketball coach Mark Few and his wife, Marcy, raised more than $750,000 in support of cancer research.

USD's new architect

A great university, a fabulous city and wonderful people. As the first-year head men's basketball coach at the University of San Diego, Bill Grier has plenty to sell to recruits. But his biggest hook?

Having a good time

Dan Dickau wasn't about to let a little thing like job insecurity interfere with having some fun Thursday at the Toyota All-American's Charity Classic he hosted along with Adam Morrison.

NBA's traveling man

The Dan Dickau trade count meter is up to eight, the most recent perhaps testing the former Gonzaga All-American's spirits more than the previous seven.

Abercrombie's team falls

Washington State University guard Thomas Abercrombie and his native New Zealand lost 78-57 to Korea in a men's basketball game at the World University Games Monday in Bangkok, Thailand.

WSU's Baynes sharp again

Washington State University center Aron Baynes scored in double figures for the fourth straight game Sunday, but his native Australia lost 69-53 to the Czech Republic in a men's basketball second-phase game at the World University Games in Bangkok.

Baynes hits 9 of 9 during win

Washington State University sophomore Aron Baynes hit all nine of his shots from the floor and finished with 21 points to lead his home country of Australia to a 96-52 romp over Angola in men's basketball action at the World University Games early this morning at Bangkok, Thailand.

Baynes' Aussies lose

Washington State University's Aron Baynes totaled 14 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots Friday, but his native Australia lost to Israel 74-62 in basketball at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fast Break

Tony Bennett will receive the largest contract in Washington State University coaching history after leading the Cougars to their best season in decades.

Area Roundup: U.S. to play for gold

Gonzaga University's Matt Bouldin scored two points in 10 minutes in the USA U-19 Men's 78-75 semifinal win over France at the 2007 FIBA U-19 World Championships Saturday.

Low, Weaver make Pan Am team

After five trial sessions and four practices spread over five days, Washington State seniors-to-be Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver are finally able to relax.

Gibbs verbally commits to Gonzaga

Grant Gibbs, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound point guard and top-100 recruit from Marion, Iowa, has made an oral commitment to play basketball for Gonzaga University in 2008.

Bouldin makes key shot in USA win

Gonzaga's Matt Bouldin scored eight points, including a crucial late jumper, to help the USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team (3-0) defeat host Serbia 82-78.

Area roundup: Zags draw UConn

Connecticut will play Gonzaga and Providence will face Boston College in the second annual Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge in Boston's TD Banknorth Garden on Dec. 1. tournament officials announced Tuesday from Springfield, Mass.

Inglemoor's McLaughlin commits to Cougars

Mark McLaughlin, a 6-foot-5 wing from Inglemoor High in Kenmore, Wash., has given an oral commitment to play basketball at Washington State University.

Fast Break

Gonzaga's Matt Bouldin was named to the 12-man USA Basketball U-19 team, the organization announced Saturday from Dallas.

Fast Break

Gonzaga will take on Tennessee in the Battle in Seattle next basketball season, according to John Hines of Northwest Sports Entertainment.

GU, RMHC extend Classic, set big goal

Gonzaga University and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane made it official Thursday, signing an agreement to continue the Ronald McDonald Charities Classic.

Cougars traveled 18,000 miles to stay course

If you think March is a barometer of how far the basketball program at Washington State has come, well, of course you're right. But June, July and August are closing fast.

Morrison offers hope

WASHINGTON � The Charlotte Bobcats' Adam Morrison said Monday that playing in the NBA with diabetes was slightly harder than during his college career at Gonzaga.

Back on home floor

The Brazilian Beast � or most of him, at least � has returned. J.P. Batista is back in town after playing professionally in Lithuania last winter.

Road trip excites WSU duo

PULLMAN � Aron Baynes and Thomas Abercrombie are likely to register some telling minutes for the Cougars in the coming weeks.

Daugherty home from hospital

EVERETT, Wash. � Washington State women's basketball coach June Daugherty was released from a hospital Tuesday.

Harthun commits to Cougs

PULLMAN � Washington State has secured its second oral commitment for the recruiting class of 2008.

Daugherty makes strides

June Daugherty is expected to be released from Providence Everett Medical Center within the next 48 hours after having a defibrillator surgically implanted Thursday.

WSU players watch, wait for updates on Daugherty

Only two members of Washington State University's women's basketball team are in Pullman, but their situation is no different than that of their teammates scattered about the nation.

Cougs revive Thanksgiving Alpo spirit

So Washington State, by way of shedding a potential and extraneous game with Gonzaga, is ceding the territory of Alaska to the Zags and playing a tournament in � Spokane?

Cougars sign play-making guard

Washington State finished off its recruiting class in advance of the 2007-08 season Monday, signing a Houston native to a letter of intent.

Daugherty likes where she lands

PULLMAN � Step one in June Daugherty's rebuilding process of the Washington State women's basketball program has nothing to do with the game itself.

New beginning for Daugherty, Cougars

PULLMAN � In one of her first acts as the new head coach of the Washington State women's basketball team, June Daugherty knocked a tape recorder off of the lectern.

John Blanchette: Score hire as a 'W', but Cougs will need more

Let's start with the premise that the Huskies screwed up. Every Cougar wants to believe that, right?

Cougs select ex-UW coach Daugherty

PULLMAN � Washington State will introduce former Washington coach June Daugherty as its new women's basketball coach this afternoon.

Two Gonzaga players won't return

Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes and David Burgess will not return to the Gonzaga University men's basketball team next season.

Cougars increase international flavor

PULLMAN � Washington State has received a letter of intent from German high schooler Fabian Boeke, who is set to join the basketball team this fall as a freshman.

WSU coaching search speeds along

PULLMAN � Washington State would like to hire a new women's basketball coach soon, possibly by the end of the upcoming week, according to members of the school's search committee.

Cougars lose role players

PULLMAN � Two players on the Washington State basketball team, seeing little playing time for themselves in the future, have asked to be released from their scholarships.

Murrell resigns after five years

Sherri Murrell shocked the Cougars family Thursday afternoon by abruptly resigning as the Washington State head women's basketball coach.

BCS redux: Buckeyes and Gators in finale

ATLANTA � What if someone told you Ohio State star center Greg Oden would play 3 minutes of the first half because of foul trouble, and the Buckeyes would win?

Florida gives UCLA another kiss-off

ATLANTA � First, a familiar result. Next, a classic repeat? Florida and its coach, Billy Donovan, moved one win away from a second straight national championship Saturday.

Vols get another shot at Heels

Tennessee, the program by which all others are measured in women's basketball, will meet North Carolina at the Final Four in Cleveland.

Two ones want win

ATLANTA � Now we'll see who's really No. 1.Florida, the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament, and Ohio State, which finished the regular season as the top-ranked team, rolled into Monday night's championship game.

Paris player of year

Duke coach Gail Goestenkors was the driving force behind the Blue Devils' perfect regular season. Oklahoma sophomore Courtney Paris, too, showed consistent excellence.

America's best

Washington State University men's basketball is on the rebound, and its coach has been rewarded handsomely.

Cougs have a trophy coach

Tony Bennett moved into a new house in Pullman within the last year, but he and his family may have to do a little rearranging already � a trophy room is probably in order.

Now hear this!

ATLANTA � The question came out of the stands, as direct and on-target as a Lee Humphrey jumper.

mark few, final four

ATLANTA � Mark Few remembers the days when he could breeze through the hotel lobby during the National Association of Basketball Coaches' convention without having to break stride.

Georgetown vs. Ohio State

A marquee matchup of big men � and the other players involved aren't too shabby, either.

Florida vs. UCLA

The best offensive team at the Final Four (Florida) against the best defensive team at the Final Four (UCLA).

Humble Hoya

A week earlier, Jeff Green and his extraterrestrial athletic ability had altered an NCAA tournament game against Boston College in one hair-raising instant.

Why Ohio State will win

Ohio State has a dynamic combination of steeled veterans and skilled freshmen who can give the school its second NCAA tournament championship and first since 1960.

Why Florida will win

The Gators are back, and those who think their bite might not be as ferocious as last season will have another think coming this weekend.

Why UCLA will win

Florida starts the same lineup it did when it beat UCLA in last year's final by 16 points.Missing from that UCLA lineup are center Ryan Hollins and swingman Cedric Bozeman, who were seniors, and point guard Jordan Farmar, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. They combined for 37 of the Bruins' 57 points.

Why Georgetown will win

Ohio State 7-foot freshman center Greg Oden has finally met his Goliath equal in Georgetown junior center 7-2 Roy Hibbert.

Bennett all but locked up

PULLMAN � There are many details left to be hammered out, but Washington State was in no mood to wait for someone to pluck its coach with a plum offer.

Tennessee waltzes into Final Four

DAYTON, Ohio � To beat Tennessee, Mississippi needed to play a nearly perfect game.Instead, Candace Parker and the Lady Vols did.

Latta bounces back

DALLAS � Once again, Ivory Latta was headed to the locker room way too early in a late-round NCAA tournament game, North Carolina's hopes possibly going with her.

Bruins play bruising defense

LOS ANGELES � Add a "D" to UCLA.The Bruins play defense as well as any team in the country, and now comes their biggest challenge � defending champion Florida.

Life-long assistant Grier fulfilling lifelong ambition

Here's the thing: with each opening he didn't pursue, each opportunity he had presented to him, Bill Grier found it more difficult.

Grier, Toreros a match

The University of San Diego will hold a press conference this afternoon to introduce former Gonzaga University assistant Bill Grier as its new men's basketball head coach.

Familiar face set to join GU staff

Mark Few looked neither far nor long to find a qualified successor to Bill Grier as the top assistant on his Gonzaga University men's basketball coaching staff.

Toreros want Grier

Sources confirmed Saturday that Gonzaga University assistant Bill Grier has been offered the head men's basketball coaching job at the University of San Diego.

Oden sparks Buckeyes

SAN ANTONIO � Ohio State coach Thad Matta looked down the bench and locked eyes with Greg Oden.

Hoyas-Heels rematch rekindles memories

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. � In the photo, a black-and-white relic hanging in Matt Doherty's office, four men linger in a Louisiana Superdome holding area.

Sun Devils scorch

GREENSBORO, N.C. � After two NCAA tournament games full of struggle, Arizona State finally played up to its standards again.

UConn ends N.C. State's spirited run

FRESNO, Calif. � Charde Houston and Tina Charles sent Connecticut on another second-half surge that ended North Carolina State's emotional run through the NCAA tournament.

Tigers get defensive with FSU

FRESNO, Calif. � The way LSU plays defense, the Lady Tigers don't need much offense to win games.

Don't call Gators Duck blind

ST. LOUIS � All season long, late at night a wide-eyed Corey Brewer would go into his bedroom and flip on the television not even mildly interested in sleeping.

Rutgers rallies past No. 1 Duke

GREENSBORO, N.C. � Duke's free-throw failure in the final second sent Rutgers to the regional finals.

UCLA Ohio State

Region: West, No. 2 seedCoach: Ben Howland

NCAA tournament Sweet 16

GREENSBORO REGIONAL ( Read the full story )

Affection for Afflalo

SAN JOSE, Calif. � With good-natured shoves and claps, the UCLA Bruins formed a circle around Arron Afflalo � the rightful center of attention.

Ducks rain 3s

ST. LOUIS � Tajuan Porter, the little guy nobody wanted, has Oregon one game away from the Final Four.

WSU hopes to have Bennett deal soon

PULLMAN � Washington State hopes to come to a contract agreement or something close to it with men's basketball coach Tony Bennett in the next week.

Heels defeat Trojans

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. � Even before they heard coach Roy Williams hollering, Brandan Wright and his North Carolina teammates could tell they were in big trouble Friday.

Green steps up

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. � With big man Roy Hibbert on the bench, Jeff Green knew he had to step up.

Gators fight past Bulldogs

ST. LOUIS � Al Horford and Joakim Noah had small spots of blood speckled across their shirts and shorts � remnants of Butler's aggressive, physical play.

Inside the games

>The No. 1 seeds still have a shot at history.

NCAA tournament regionals

For Saturday, March 24, 2007.

Worth dancing about

SAN ANTONIO � Maybe now folks will realize there's more to Ohio State than Greg Oden.

Bulldogs look back and forth

Gonzaga University coach Mark Few has never been one to hurriedly or off-handedly dispose of a basketball season or basketball team.

Bruins get job done

SAN JOSE, Calif. � The game was hard to watch, as expected, but it set up the matchup everyone wanted to see.

Anderson's free throws lift Tigers

SAN ANTONIO � Antonio Anderson isn't the player Memphis would have picked to go to the line with a chance to advance to another NCAA regional final.

Salukis slow, but can't stop KU

SAN JOSE, Calif. � The Kansas Jayhawks knew they had to abandon the beautiful game they usually play to beat Southern Illinois.

INSIDE THE GAMES

Kansas coach Bill Self has to be happy there are only teams from the power conferences left in the West Regional.

NCAA TOURNAMENT REGIONALS

East ( Read the full story )

Wisdom of Pearl

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. � Maybe what best describes Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl is that in high school he was elected class president and voted class clown.

Home sweet home

SAN ANTONIO � Some Texas A&M students wore paper bags over their heads during Acie Law's freshman season.

NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen

Ducks hope to stand beside 'Tall Firs'

PORTLAND � Portland's Morrison Bridge was lit this week with green and yellow.

Gators step to front

Florida is good but not scary good. Just because they returned all five starters from last season's national championship team, everybody seems to expect the Gators to roll.

NBA : Wallace, Morrison spark Bobcats' OT win

Gerald Wallace had 27 points and 11 rebounds, Adam Morrison hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime and the Charlotte Bobcats beat Cleveland 108-100 Tuesday night in Charlotte.

Cougars season one for the books

PULLMAN � It took George Raveling more than three seasons to win 26 games as head coach at Washington State, proof that even for the best and most beloved of Cougars coaches winning on the Palouse isn't easy.

On balance, Trojans simply better than Longhorns

University of Southern California freshman guard Daniel Hackett began the season wearing jersey number 11.

Oregon guards punch out Cinderella

The Oregon Ducks knew what was coming their way. The Eagles of Winthrop, an 11th-seeded team on a 19-game winning streak, with the potential to do serious damage, stood in their way of one more day of dancing.

Another tournament, another hot coach

George Raveling wasn't the last men's basketball coach to leave Washington State for a seemingly better opportunity in the Midwest.

Oregon has right mix

Scientists test their hypotheses in controlled environments, careful to avoid outside influences that can spoil their experiments.

Three from Pac-10 packin' for Sweet 16

It doesn't get much sweeter for the Pacific-10 Conference.The league's basketball reputation seems to ebb and flow in the national media: anywhere from not so great, to competitive, but rarely top-shelf.

NBA calling Durant

The speculation about the future of Texas freshman phenom Kevin Durant will do nothing but mushroom in the days to come.

John Blanchette: Note to WSU: Don't let coach leave Pullman

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � No time to stop now. Not after this turnaround, not after this season, not after these thrills.

Turnovers hit weary Weaver

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Kyle Weaver has the rebounds, the assists, the blocks and the steals to justify his All-Pac-10 status this season.

Loss can't kill Coug spirit

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � You know that Washington State University logo? The one that spells out WSU and seemed to be everywhere in the Inland Northwest recently?

Clark's finale brief

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Washington State University loses just one scholarship player to graduation this season, forward Ivory Clark.

Battered clipboard made point

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Southeastern Conference most valuable player Derrick Byars was missing 3-pointers all over the place.

Screens help Byars find his long-range shot

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Vanderbilt has relied on 3-pointers throughout the season and it finally got untracked from long distance in the second half of Saturday's second-round NCAA tournament game.

Floyd hammers away at latest hoops project

Southern California men's basketball Tim Floyd is a heckuva carpenter. He's taken on some of the most daunting rebuilding jobs in basketball.

Ducks won't forego inside track

Oregon's Bryce Taylor drove the lane and challenged his opponent with a right-handed floater. Swatted.

Winthrop no fluke

Everybody loves to root for the underdog � especially come NCAA tournament time.

Longhorns, Trojans set to square off

Considering the histories of the University of Southern California and University of Texas football teams, it seemed inevitable that the subject would arise on the eve of today's 2:20 p.m. hoops matchup.

Melancholy mood

St. Patrick's Day isn't the type of joyous occasion for the USC basketball team as it is for some.

Noah grins, bears it

NEW ORLEANS � Early this afternoon, Florida plays Purdue in the NCAA tournament's second round. For Florida's wonderful junior, Joakim Noah, that doesn't just mean another game showing why he returned to school last spring instead of grabbing a heap of NBA money.

INSIDE THE GAMES

Now this is March Madness. After a first round in which the games were decided by an average of 16.1 points and only four games with a final margin of less than nine points, the NCAA tournament lived up to its nickname with the start of the second round Saturday.

Sun Devils survive scare from UC Riverside

LOS ANGELES � Upstart UC Riverside appeared to be nothing more than a minor hurdle for third-seeded Arizona State.

Tourney Replay

Lord Jeffs rule Division III for first time

SALEM, Va. � Andrew Olson scored 15 points and Brian Baskauskas added 14 to lead Amherst to its first NCAA Division III title.

Dayton Region

5 Southern California vs. 4 Texas

11 Winthrop vs. 3 Oregon

East Region

By the numbers

Box Score

Vanderbilt 78, WSU 74 (2OT)

Vandy, not WSU, tastes sweet smell of success by making biggest plays

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � The Cougars could taste the Sweet 16. They just couldn't hang onto their place in it.

Charming turn of events

Winthrop overcame a second-half collapse and scored 12 of the game's final 13 points to register a 74-64 victory over sixth-seeded Notre Dame at the Arena.

John Blanchette: Harmeling's team spirit still visible

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Daven Harmeling and the Washington State Cougars commanded the public's attention at pretty much the same time.

Ducks find a home away from home

At times Friday it was a little unclear whether the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena was actually in Washington or if it had somehow been transported to Eugene, Ore.

To know the Cougs, meet the assistants

SACRAMENTO � So you've climbed aboard this Cougar basketball bandwagon, have you?

Oregon avoids upset

Mark this one down as survival of the fittest. And if it weren't for two free throws in the final seconds of the game, this could have been the biggest upset of the first round.

Vandy's sold on Byars

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � The only one who has had much success stopping Vanderbilt's Derrick Byars this season is a gentleman named Byars.

In Troy's defense

The defense returned for the University of Southern California.

Familiar name among Aggies

When the New Mexico State Aggies tangled with superstar Kevin Durant and the Texas Longhorns Friday night, a former Pullman High standout was in the spotlight.

6 VAnderbilt 3 Washington State

Region: East, No. 6 seedCoach: Kevin Stallings

Nevada isn't all Fazekas

NEW ORLEANS � Paying too much attention to Nick Fazekas is a gamble when trying to stop Nevada.

Notebook : He's OK with being No. 2 at A&M

Billy Gillispie knows he's not the most eloquent speaker. The Texas A&M coach hopes he makes up for it with honesty.

Inside the games: Vols welcome offense back to tournament

Tennessee single-handedly ended this tournament's offensive slump in its 121-86 victory over Long Beach State.

Badgers toughen up, avoid huge upset

CHICAGO � Wisconsin seemed in a daze, almost like jittery rookies playing in their first NCAA tournament.

BC 'traitors' take on Hoyas

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. � Boston College still has a familiar feel to Georgetown's Jeff Green � even though the Eagles have bolted for a new conference.

Durant leads Texas past NMSU

There's a reason Kevin Durant is listed as both a guard and forward. He can handle the ball like a smaller perimeter player, but in a big man's body.

Notebook: Spanarkel knows what it's all about

CBS color commentator Jim Spanarkel is in Spokane for the subregional broadcast.The former Duke standout and NBA player knows firsthand about "March Madness."

East Region

By the numbers

Tourney Replay

For Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Box Scores

For Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Box Scores

For Saturday, March 17, 2007.

By the numbers

For Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Cougs make stand at arc

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � The mantra is heard constantly this time of year, probably because it holds true more often than not.

Zags' up-and-down season ends with huge downer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � The Gonzaga Bulldogs had been playing with a small margin for error, yet somehow surviving, for several weeks heading into this year's NCAA tournament.

John Blanchette: Cougars' Clark bears it, then grins

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � What is it in a smile that can offend? Ivory Clark can't explain it, exactly. But he is a serious man, not outwardly light of heart.

California split

SACRAMENTO � The prestige is obvious. The financial return might be as well.But winning an NCAA Division I basketball tournament game, to Pete Isakson at least, is pretty much priceless.

'Sky-vory' returns

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Washington State forward Ivory Clark hadn't heard his nickname for a while: Sky-vory.

GU notebook : Out of character

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � The Gonzaga Bulldogs weren't themselves Thursday night � at least at the offensive end of the floor.

John Blanchette: Zags reached peak but had nothing left when it arrived

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � There's been a lot of amateur discussion this week about how the NCAA tournament needs tweaking.

Ducks, Irish get that homey feeling

For a couple of reasons, it would stand to reason that Oregon and Notre Dame will be the local fan favorites for the NCAA subregionals that begin today at the Arena.

Heytvelt first drug suspect in program

Prosecutors say GU's Josh Heytvelt received no special treatment. But Heytvelt is the only felony drug suspect from Spokane County ever approved for the diversion program.

Hosts welcome Notre Dame

Doris Cleveland is accustomed to wearing crimson and gray to support her team, but this weekend you're more likely to see her wearing gold and blue.

Duke ousted

BUFFALO, N.Y. � Christian Laettner sat six rows back of the Duke bench, but it was Virginia Commonwealth's Eric Maynor who hit the kind of shot Laettner made famous.

Notebook: Georgetown's Sapp ruins plan

A year ago, as Georgetown was preparing to play Florida in the Sweet 16, Georgetown guard Jessie Sapp learned his 13-year-old sister Stevevasha had been shot.

Bruins cruise past Weber State

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Even if Gonzaga had managed to defeat Indiana Thursday night, things would not have become any easier in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Commodores win in commanding fashion

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � Vanderbilt University admitted it had taken exception to suggestions it would be "shocked" and "stunned" by George Washington's defensive pressure.

!4 Miami of Ohio 3 Oregon

For Friday, March 16, 2007.

!3 New Mexico State 4 Texas

For Friday, March 16, 2007.

!1 Winthrop 6 Notre Dame

For Friday, March 16, 2007.

8 to watch: Aaron Brooks

Come tournament time, guards seem to become more important. This will be the case for the Ducks, who rely a lot on senior guard Aaron Brooks.

8t to Watch: Nick Young

The junior swingman seemingly spent as much time dunking as he did shooting from the perimeter Thursday during the Trojans' 40-minute session in the Arena.

8 to Watch: Patrick Beverley

Beverley believes he comes into the NCAA tournament not playing as well as he did most of the season.

8 to watch: Kevin Durant

The men's basketball tournament subregional in Spokane boasts two players, Texas' Kevin Durant and Oregon's Aaron Brooks, being touted as potential NCAA players of the year.

8 to watch: Russell Carter

Football or basketball, it makes little difference. Notre Dame can flex its considerable recruiting muscle in both sports.

8 to Watch: Craig Bradshaw

Craig Bradshaw's basketball resume features more highlights than that of most NBA players.

8 to watch: Tim Pollitz

For the underdog RedHawks, Mid-American Conference tournament Most Valuable Player Tim Pollitz will be crucial to Miami's effort against the Oregon Ducks.

8 to WatchJustin Hawkins

The Aggies' leading scorer is one of six transfers who have melded to help orchestrate a superb two-year turnaround under coach Reggie Theus.

Tourney Replay

For Friday, March 16, 2007.

Box Score

Washington St. 70, Oral Roberts 54

INSIDE THE GAMES

The lack of offense on the first day of the NCAA tournament was downright offensive as four losing teams failed to break the 50-point mark.

By the numbers

For Friday, March 16, 2007.

!2 Arkansas 5 Southern Cal

For Friday, March 16, 2007.

East Region

EAST REGION

At Winston-Salem, N.C.

Box Score

Indiana 70, Gonzaga 57

By the numbers

Six Shots, out of 25 attempts, that Washington State made at the beginning of Thursday's game.

WSU advances, just like that

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � All it took for 24 years of history to turn on its head was three seconds.

Turnaround Cougs prepare to put it all on the line against Golden Eagles

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � The Cougars sported more than smiles while walking out onto the Arco Arena floor for the school's first NCAA tournament practice in 13 years.

Zags leery of Indiana's big fella, but hot-shooting guards also a big threat

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � It has been quite some time since the Gonzaga Bulldogs have faced a post player as skilled, productive and efficient as Indiana's D.J. White.

John Blanchette: Indiana's Sampson, former WSU coach, relishes in all those local ties

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � He's playing the team he once refused to play and spending most of his time talking up the team he used to coach.

Making the most of tough spot

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � The rebounds became tougher to grab, the points a tad harder to come by and the blocked shots dropped significantly.

The pursuit that led to happiness

When Spokane last hosted an NCAA tournament subregional four years ago, the most important game in town may have been played off the court.

!0 Gonzaga 7 Indiana

Region: WestCoach: Mark Few Record: 23-10

Sold-out seats going for cool million

Still looking for tickets for the NCAA subregional in Spokane? Well, you can still get them. For a price � a hefty one for some.

!4 Oral roberts 3 Washington State

Region: EastCoach: Scott SuttonRecord: 23-10

Beware of the No. 12s

Illinois coach Bruce Weber waited on hold Monday for a few minutes, listening to the radio talk show hosts bad-mouthing his team.

WSU-Indiana facts

For Thursday, March 15, 2007.

Road-tripping to the tourney

SACRAMENTO, Calif. � When your school hasn't appeared in the NCAA tournament since you were a third-grader, a 15-hour drive seems pretty short.

NCAA rules govern Arena ads, setup, uniforms

This weekend's NCAA basketball games have no script, but everything else fans see will be carefully managed according to precise NCAA tournament manual specifications.

Man of the people

PULLMAN � Tony Bennett watched his jersey rise to the rafters at Wisconsin-Green Bay and then he fell down on a knee to propose to his girlfriend of 3 1/2 months.

John Blanchette: Befuddled Few watches ax fall on colleagues

Mark Few told someone the other day that this Gonzaga basketball season felt like a dog year � seven years in one.

Bulldogs will need to collar White

In Mark Few's opinion, only the name of his Gonzaga Bulldogs' first-round NCAA tournament opponent is familiar.

Answering your NCAA questions

Frequently asked questions regarding the NCAA tournament in Spokane and Sacramento.

Rise of Downs

The question was posed to Micah Downs on Sunday, shortly after he and his Gonzaga University teammates had learned the NCAA had awarded them a No. 10 seed in the West Region of its prestigious postseason men's college basketball tournament.

NCAA selectors got it right for Cougs, Zags

Man, do I love it when an Ivy League guy is in charge of the bracket. During the many public grillings Gary Walters � athletic director at Princeton, former college teammate of Bill Bradley and this year's chair of the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee � submitted to during the weekend, he had this to say about March Madness:

WSU foe knows his opponent

Ben Haynes moved to Pullman when he was 3 years old. He played basketball for the Greyhounds in high school, and all the while he followed Washington State, harboring dreams of playing for a Division I school.

Senior duo lead the way for ORU

PULLMAN � Dissect Thursday's first-round NCAA tournament game all you want. Eventually, from the perspective of Washington State's opponent, everything comes down to one simple concept.

GU closer to home and with better seed than expected

The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee surprised a lot of people, including several members of the Gonzaga University men's basketball team, on Sunday by awarding the West Coast Conference champion Bulldogs a No. 10 seed in the West Region of this year's postseason spectacle.

Spend that Mad money on gas, coffee, antacids

You can do it. You and a carload of buddies, a loaded-up Starbucks gift card, satellite radio, plenty of deodorant and antacids and Visine, and the ATM card � scalpers don't take VISA. Maybe � and this might be too much information � an empty pop bottle to facilitate bypassing the usual rest stops.

Bracket analysis: WSU

In addition to first-round opponent Oral Roberts, third-seeded Washington State could also meet Vanderbilt or George Washington should the Cougars win on Thursday. Here's a look at all four teams.

Bracket analysis: Gonzaga

Should Gonzaga win its opener against Indiana, the Bulldogs will face either UCLA or Weber State. Here's a look at all four teams in that corner of the bracket.

An inside look at the Arena matchups

Spokane's second inclusion in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship has a much more big-time feel than the inaugural version in 2003.

Cougars grateful for third seed, site, and just to have name called

PULLMAN � Some stood and cheered, some remained seated and clapped.But the roaring mass of fans behind the Washington State Cougars coaches and players made it perfectly clear for a national TV audience: They're back in the tournament, and thrilled to be there.

Buckeyes, Gators head field

Everything must go their way for the matchup to occur, but the heavyweights from the college football season � Florida and Ohio State � could be on course to meet in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championships title game April 2 in Atlanta.

The slipper still fits Winthrop

The Spokane Arena may be hosting some big-name programs, but one of the eight teams is a well-known NCAA Cinderella contender: Winthrop.

Texas (24-9)

Team capsule for Texas Longhorns

Miami of Ohio (18-14)

Team capsule for Miami of Ohio RedHawks

Notre Dame (24-7)

Team capsule for Notre Dame Irish

New Mexico State (25-8)

Team capsule for New Mexico State Aggies

Winthrop (28-4)

Team capsule for Winthrop Eagles

Oregon (26-7)

Team capsule for Oregon Ducks

USC (23-11)

Team capsule for USC Trojans

Oral Roberts (23-10)

Team capsule for Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

Indiana (20-10)

Team capsule for Indiana Hoosiers

Arkansas (21-13)

Team capsule for Arkansas Razorbacks

Time to harvest seeds

Practices that started early in the fall and games that first tipped off in November have all led to this.

Heytvelt, Davis won't return for tournament

The indefinite suspensions handed down to Gonzaga University basketball players Josh Heytvelt and Theo Davis will definitely last the rest of the season.

NCAA names tourney hotel lineup

College basketball fans are intimately familiar with the intricate process of seeding the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

Semi-disappointing

LOS ANGELES � Beating a team for a third time this season was no problem for Washington State in this year's Pac-10 men's basketball tournament. But doing so on back-to-back nights?

John Blanchette: Cougars' vulnerability exploited by Trojans

LOS ANGELES � Tony Bennett rattled them off the other day � all the plusses he could see stacking up around the Washington State Cougars.

NCAA-worthy hotels

The NCAA has deemed six Spokane locations worthy of housing teams and media for its basketball tournament. They are, in no particular order:

No doubt about it

PORTLAND � In the opinion of Gonzaga's David Pendergraft, this year's team has belonged to Derek Raivio since the season started.

Bulldogs dispatch Toreros

PORTLAND, Ore. – Wanna be a hero? Take a number. That seems to be the approach the Gonzaga Bulldogs are taking to the latter stages of this unsettled college basketball season. And it was David Pendergraft who became the latest Zag to respond to having his number called on Sunday evening.

Second, not second-rate

PULLMAN � It should have been nearly impossible for Washington State to send its fans away with a suitable home finale after this incredible regular season.

John Blanchette: No small feat for 'new' Zags to have rallied

PORTLAND � OK, so it's not quite the "Hoosiers" heroics of Ollie and his granny-style free throws. But the concept's the same.

Tourney time for GU

PORTLAND � Coach Mark Few and his Gonzaga Bulldogs pride themselves in having to take every opponent's best shot every time they step on the basketball court.

WSU path at Pac-10 intriguing

PULLMAN � This history-making season for Washington State could get a lot more interesting in the coming days.

A great finish

PULLMAN � Leave it to the most powerful dunker on the team to know that it's not about how you start, but all about how you finish.

Toreros, Pilots win openers

PORTLAND � Ross DeRogatis had 22 points and San Diego beat Pepperdine 95-82 Friday night in the first round of West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament.

WSU, USC finish off Pac-10 race

PULLMAN � Imagine two race cars just laps from the finish line, with the fuel light shining brightly from the dashboard of each.