gonzaga basketball back on the road seeking 35th straight win over USF after brief Spokane stop
Gonzaga’s national ascent has briefly paused for quick turnarounds and charters, but the No. 11 Bulldogs remain focused on their next task: a Wednesday night rematch with San Francisco. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 p. m. ET at the Chase Center, and Gonzaga arrives with postseason positioning on the line and a long series streak at stake.
Tight travel, tight margins
The Bulldogs returned home to Spokane for barely more than a reset before boarding another charter bound for Northern California. After a late-night finish at San Francisco earlier in the season and a whirlwind of postgame routines, the team squeezed in film work and a short break before preparing for Wednesday’s rematch. Coach Mark Few framed the challenge bluntly: "San Francisco’s always been a really, really tough game for us. Expect nothing less on Wednesday. As you get late into February in league, all of them are tough so we need to just hustle home and get some rest and move on from there. ”
Every game late in the WCC carries added weight. Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1) may need to win out to claim an outright regular-season title, but a victory over the Dons (15-13, 7-8) would also secure the top seed at the conference tournament if the Zags follow with home wins against Pacific and Portland. That urgency is layered on a lopsided series history: Gonzaga has won 34 straight against San Francisco, and both teams know retrospectives of January’s 68-66 Kennewick classic won’t be enough to determine Wednesday’s outcome.
Matchups, injuries and style points
Personnel and style are central talking points. Gonzaga’s recent surge has been powered by senior forward Graham Ike, who has averaged 26. 7 points over his last seven games and represents one of the toughest individual matchups in the country at the moment. The Bulldogs managed a narrow win in the first meeting while operating without Ike for an extended stretch earlier in the season; his scoring run since adds a different dynamic to the rematch.
San Francisco counters with backcourt firepower and perimeter threats that can alter pace. The Dons generate a high volume of 3-point attempts and have turned several games into high-scoring affairs. Guards like Ryan Beasley and freshman Legion Smiley have shown the ability to explode for big nights from deep, and junior forward David Fuchs controls the glass and interior scoring in ways that force opponents to stay aware of second-chance opportunities.
Availability remains a variable for the Dons. Sophomore wing Tyrone Riley IV — a 11. 4-point, 5. 2-rebound contributor who earned WCC All-Freshman honors — missed the last two games with a knee issue and is listed as day-to-day. Dons coach Chris Gerlufsen emphasized caution about rushing him back: "He’s kind of day to day and we’re certainly doing everything we can to get him back for Wednesday. Kind of remains to be seen what his availability will be. I’m not going to put him out there if he’s not ready to go. Certainly he’d be a much-needed presence Wednesday. " San Francisco found ways to win without him in recent action, but his presence would alter matchups against Gonzaga’s length and athleticism.
Numbers, pace and what to watch
Oddsmakers have leaned heavily toward Gonzaga, with the Zags opening as sizable favorites in the rematch, but statistical trends point to a game that could tilt in multiple directions. Gonzaga’s interior efficiency has been strong of late — the team shot exceptionally well inside the arc in its most recent outing — but there are signs of 3-point defensive regression that could be problematic against a Dons team built on perimeter volume.
San Francisco’s recent games have produced high totals, and their transition scoring and free-throw volume have pushed several contests over projected marks. For Gonzaga, limiting quick looks from distance and protecting the glass will be critical; for USF, forcing turnovers, getting to the line and finding hot shooters early could flip the script. Expect a physical, fast-moving first half with strategic adjustments in the second as both coaching staffs chase margin-clinching plays.
At stake is more than a single win: seeding implications, a streak on the line and the kinds of late-season tests that shape NCAA tournament résumés. The rematch at the Chase Center figures to be a measuring stick for both programs as the WCC race tightens and March approaches.
