No. 12 Gonzaga returns home to face Washington State tonight in a WCC matchup with major playoff implications. The Bulldogs (23-2, 11-1) are hungry to bounce back after a shocking upset loss to Portland. The Cougars (11-15, 6-7) are seeking to end a brutal losing streak against their in-state rival.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Tipoff Time: 8 p.m. PT at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane on ESPN2.
- Gonzaga Record: 23-2 overall, 11-1 in WCC, currently ranked No. 12 nationally.
- Washington State Record: 11-15 overall, 6-7 in WCC, seeking improvement under coach David Riley.
- Spread: Gonzaga favored by 21.5 points on the road to victory.
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The Bulldogs suffered a stunning 87-80 loss to Portland last Wednesday in a game where they led for just 32 seconds total. Coach Mark Few’s squad has now entered their final six-game regular season stretch. To rebuild momentum, Gonzaga dominated Oregon State 81-61 on Saturday in Corvallis, showcasing their elite defensive capabilities.
The loss to the Pilots dropped Gonzaga from the top 10 in AP rankings to their current No. 12 position. This game represents an immediate opportunity to steady the ship before a critical road matchup against Santa Clara on Saturday. Santa Clara (21-5, 12-1) currently leads the WCC and represents Gonzaga’s biggest conference threat.
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The Cougars enter tonight on an extended losing streak against the Bulldogs. Washington State hasn’t defeated Gonzaga since 2007 at home, and the teams last met on January 15 with Gonzaga winning decisively 86-65 in Pullman. WSU has dropped three consecutive games following defeats to Oregon State (74-64) and Santa Clara (96-92) last week.
Despite the overall struggles, the Cougars show surprising strength from three-point range. Washington State shoots 37.3% from beyond the arc, ranking 30th nationally. More concerning for Gonzaga, the Cougars connected on 46.4% from three (13-28) in the first matchup, showcasing their offensive potential even against elite perimeter defense.
Key Matchup: Three-Point Shooting Will Determine Victory
| Factor | Gonzaga | Washington State |
| Record | 23-2 | 11-15 |
| Top Player | Graham Ike | Ri Vavers |
| Three-Point % | Struggling lately | 37.3% (30th nationally) |
| Home Record | 11-0 | 1-8 away |
Graham Ike anchors Gonzaga’s attack, playing heavy minutes despite lingering ankle soreness. The 6-foot-9 senior has logged 35+ minutes in four straight games. Meanwhile, Washington State’s Ri Vavers (41.3% from three) recently returned from injury and is shooting 50% from three over his last six games (20-40). Vavers poses a unique threat to Gonzaga’s perimeter defense.
“We cannot allow Washington State’s shooters to get hot from beyond the arc. They proved in January they can make threes at elite levels.”
— Sports Analysts, Previewing the matchup
Gonzaga Defense Under Pressure After Recent Perimeter Struggles
Gonzaga has surrendered three-pointers at alarming rates recently. San Francisco shot 50% (14-28) in a near-win at The Kennel on January 24, and Portland hit 43.8% (7-16) in their upset victory last week. Most troubling: Oregon State connected on 55.6% (10-18) from three on Saturday. These defensive breakdowns directly correlate to Gonzaga’s losses and close calls.
Coach Few’s team ranks second in WCC defense, allowing just 67.0 points per game and holding opponents to 39.7% shooting. However, the perimeter defense has become a vulnerability that Washington State will undoubtedly attack with shooters like Ace Glass (38.8%), Eemeli Yalaho (43.3%), and Simon Hildebrandt (36.9%). Tightening up three-point defense is paramount for Gonzaga success tonight.
Can Washington State Pull Off the Impossible in Spokane?
The oddsmakers have ruled out a Washington State victory, setting the spread at Gonzaga -21.5. Historically, WSU’s last win at the Kennel came in 2007, nearly two decades ago. The Cougars have dropped seven straight overall against Gonzaga, including their dominant loss on the road just three weeks ago on January 15. Despite these obstacles, Washington State’s three-point shooting presents a legitimate threat that could keep the game competitive if the Cougars find rhythm early.
Tonight’s game kicks off the final six-game sprint of the WCC regular season, where playoff positioning will be determined. For Gonzaga, a dominant home victory would reestablish their credentials as conference leaders. For Washington State, any ability to compete would signal progress under coach David Riley’s rebuilding plan. The crowd at McCarthey Athletic Center will play a significant role in what promises to be a lopsided but spirited matchup between two programs heading in opposite directions.
