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Gonzaga vs. Washington State: Zags-Cougs Rivalry Renewed

5 months agoUS
Gonzaga vs. Washington State: Zags-Cougs Rivalry RenewedSource: swxlocalsports.com
The No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Washington State Cougars renewed their regional rivalry on January 15, 2026, marking their 153rd all-time meeting. Gonzaga has dominated recent matchups, winning the last seven straight, but Washington State leads the overall series 98-54.

Key Insights

Gonzaga is a heavy favorite, ranked No. 9 nationally, while Washington State is unranked.

Gonzaga boasts a strong offense and defense, ranking in the top 12 nationally in both categories according to KenPom.

Washington State struggles with turnovers, ranking last in the West Coast Conference in turnover margin.

Ace Glass is a key player for Washington State, and Gonzaga’s defensive strategy focused on containing him. He averages 15.9 points per game.

Braden Huff of Gonzaga is expected to miss 4-8 weeks due to injury.

In-Depth Analysis

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (17-1, 5-0) faced the Washington State Cougars (8-10, 3-2) for the 153rd time, continuing a long-standing regional rivalry. The game took place in Pullman, Washington, with Gonzaga entering as the No. 9 ranked team in the nation. While WSU holds the historical edge in the series, Gonzaga has been dominant recently, winning the last seven encounters.

Gonzaga’s strength lies in its balanced offense and defense. Key players for Gonzaga include Graham Ike, who recently had a career-high 34 points, and Braden Huff, though Huff is sidelined with an injury. Washington State is led by freshman Ace Glass, who has emerged as a significant scoring threat.

One of Washington State’s main challenges is ball security. To have a chance at an upset, they needed to minimize turnovers and improve their rebounding.

The game was broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

FAQs

Q: What was the score of the Gonzaga vs. Washington State game?

The provided data includes live updates showing Gonzaga leading Washington State 15-11 in the first half.

Q: Where was the game played?

The game was played in Pullman, Washington, at Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.

Q: Who are the key players to watch?

For Gonzaga, watch Graham Ike and Jalen Warley. For Washington State, Ace Glass and Simon Hildebrandt.

Key Takeaways

Gonzaga is a strong team with both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Washington State needs to address its turnover issues to compete effectively.

Ace Glass is a player to watch on Washington State; Gonzaga’s defensive strategy will likely focus on him.

Braden Huff’s absence is a setback for Gonzaga.

Discussion

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