The No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Washington State Cougars in Pullman, Washington, on Thursday night. Traditionally, Gonzaga’s most formidable contests occur early in the season with a slate of highly ranked non-conference opponents or during March Madness. However, this year, they are facing significant competition within the West Coast Conference.
With a current record of 17-1 and a perfect 5-0 in conference play, the Bulldogs have demonstrated resilience in their recent games. They narrowly edged out the University of San Diego with a 99-93 victory on December 30, fought back from a 13-point second-half deficit to claim an 80-72 overtime win against Seattle University on January 2, and overcame an eight-point shortfall to defeat Santa Clara, 89-77, last week.
Gonzaga’s coach, Mark Few, acknowledged the importance of addressing their issues, particularly their turnover problems. He emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “I don’t know if we respond well to adversity or not. It would be nice if we didn’t create our own adversity with the turnovers and things like that.”
Graham Ike has been a standout player for Gonzaga, particularly in recent performances, scoring 34 points on an impressive 13-of-17 shooting against Santa Clara while also pulling down 11 rebounds. Teammate Braden Huff praised Ike’s talent and dominance, noting his potential to be a top scorer but emphasizing his selflessness for the team’s success.
During their winning streak of ten games, Gonzaga has exhibited a remarkable ability to finish strong, boasting a plus-49 scoring margin in the second half and overtime of their recent homestand, despite trailing by significant margins in the first half of those games. Ike attributed their fortitude to the team’s veteran leadership and rigorous summer training, which he believes has helped them develop resilience.
On the other side, the Washington State Cougars (8-10, 3-2) are looking to bounce back after a recent 88-82 setback against Saint Mary’s. Previously, they won five of six games, showcasing their competitive spirit. Freshman Ace Glass led their recent effort with 24 points, and coach David Riley expressed pride in his team’s progress while warning against complacency following a close loss.
Gonzaga has maintained dominance in their rivalry with the Cougars, winning the last six matchups since 2010. As the Bulldogs prepare for this inter-state clash, both teams are eager to assert their presence in the West Coast Conference standings. The upcoming game promises to be an exciting contest for fans and a pivotal moment in each team’s season.