Key Highlights
- Gonzaga Bulldogs and Washington State Cougars clash for the 153rd time on Thursday.
- No. 9 Gonzaga (17-1, 5-0) is a heavy favorite over Washington State (8-10, 3-2).
- The game will air on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m., with an over/under of 157.5.
- Braden Huff of Gonzaga is expected to miss 4-8 weeks due to injury.
Gonzaga Bulldogs: A Dominant Force in the West Coast Conference
The No. 9 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs (17-1, 5-0) enter this matchup on a high note, having secured their 10th straight victory with a 89-77 win over Santa Clara last Thursday. This impressive run has not only solidified their position as frontrunners in the Pac-12 Conference but also earned Gonzaga a spot among the nation’s elite teams.
Graham Ike, a key player for Gonzaga, set a new career high with 34 points and 11 rebounds against Santa Clara. This performance not only helped GU secure their ninth straight win over Washington State but also secured him his third West Coast Conference Player of the Week honor. The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 poll, a significant improvement from their initial preseason ranking of No. 21.
Washington State Cougars: Battling Back to Compete
The Washington State Cougars (8-10, 3-2) return home after a tough loss to Saint Mary’s on Saturday in Moraga. Despite trailing by as many as 18 points, the Cougs managed to cut the deficit to three points with just over seven minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, a trio of 20-point performances from the Gaels sealed their six-point victory.
Despite this setback, Washington State has shown improvement since their nonconference season.
With a current record of 3-2 in Pac-12 play and ranked No. 148 at KenPom, the Cougars are gaining momentum and looking to upset Gonzaga once again. Ace Glass, a freshman forward, led Wazzu with 24 points against Saint Mary’s, marking his sixth consecutive game in double figures.
Key Matchup: No. 9 Gonzaga vs. Washington State
The matchup between the No. 9 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Washington State Cougars promises to be a thrilling contest. Gonzaga, with their dominant play and strong offensive capabilities, is favored by 17.5 points in this game.
Key to Gonzaga’s success are their two big men: Graham Ike and Braden Huff, both averaging over 17 points per game. Tyon Grant-Foster adds depth with his consistent scoring of 11.7 points per game.
Meanwhile, Washington State relies on the duo of Ace Glass (16 points per game) and ND Okafor (10.1 points per game) to lead their offensive efforts.
The game will air live on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m., with an over/under score of 157.5. For those unable to watch, the stream is available through various cable and satellite providers as well as several streaming services like YouTube TV, fuboTV, Hulu, DirecTV Stream, Fubo TV, Hulu TV, and YouTube TV.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Both Teams
This matchup holds significant implications for both Gonzaga and Washington State. For Gonzaga, a win would further solidify their position as the top team in the West Coast Conference and potentially impact NCAA Tournament seeding. Meanwhile, an upset victory by Washington State could bolster their confidence heading into future conference games.
With Braden Huff out due to injury, Gonzaga will need to rely on their depth and resilience to secure a win against the Cougars. The game is set for Thursday at 7 p.m., with the CBS Sports Network broadcast providing fans across the country with live coverage of this high-stakes clash.
Brock Craven
SWX Local Sports Digital Director
