Gonzaga’s visit to Washington on Sunday won’t merely settle the issue of basketball supremacy in the state. It is taking on increasing national ramifications.
Gonzaga (4-1) climbed two spots to No. 6 in the polls last week, while Washington (6-0) jumped seven spots to No. 18.
More Top Picks Best Mobility Sticks For Warm Ups
But for all the members of the senior class has accomplished in raising the Washington’s program from Pac-10 also-ran to national contender, they have not beaten Gonzaga or dislodged the Bulldogs from their position as the state’s premier program.
“It’s a nice Northwest rivalry, and there’s a lot of stuff at stake,” senior Bobby Jones said. “They’ve beat us the last [seven seasons], even before I came. I know I at least want to get a win before I leave.”
Washington’s last victory in the rivalry came in 1998 under coach Bob Bender.
“It’s a team that we haven’t had much success against, and it’s also a team that’s one of the top 10 teams in the country,” Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar said.
“So I would say it’s a tremendous challenge to play against a team that is doing that well and has done that well, just to kind of see a little bit more of where we are.”
Gonzaga advanced in the rankings on the strength of victories over Maryland and Michigan State in the Maui Invitational, and a 65-63 loss to third-ranked Connecticut in the tournament’s title game.
Washington moved up seven spots after blowing out Idaho and Loyola Marymount. A win over Gonzaga would push the Huskies to their best start since the 1990-91 team also opened 7-0.
Also riding on the outcome is Washington’s school-record 29-game home winning streak, the longest current streak in the NCAA.
“We have our winning streak at home, they have a win streak against us,” senior Brandon Roy said. “Something’s got to give. Hopefully, it’s their win streak against us.”
The Bulldogs will be led by junior Adam Morrison, who averaged 28.7 points a game on 50 percent shooting and 7.0 rebounds a game in Hawaii. He was named tournament most valuable player.
The Zags have played a far tougher schedule, primarily because of their three games in Hawaii. Washington has not yet played a ranked team, or even one of the 55 teams receiving at least one vote in the AP rankings.
That causes players and even Romar to admit that the Gonzaga result will help them understand what kind of team they are this early in the season.
“I think it is a great, great challenge for us,” Romar said. “Regardless of what happens in that game, I don’t think that will close the book as to where we are.
“We’re not going to make a final judgment as to where we are, but we’ll have a little more of an indication.”