This might be Gonzaga’s most complete team. And that’s saying something.
The Zags haven’t missed an NCAA tournament since 1998 and are annually among D-I’s best non-BCS teams. Mark Few’s 332-86 coaching record? Absurd. So yeah, the Zags have had great teams.
That’s why it’s somewhat amazing that this year’s version is 17-3, has only lost to quality teams (Michigan State, St. Mary’s and at Illinois) and has enough pieces to be a formidable team in March.
Winning tonight at BYU would only reinforce that notion.
(All times ET; TV info from HDSportsGuide.com)
Gonzaga at BYU, 11 p.m. (ESPN2)
The Cougars (18-6) aren’t the Jimmer-led machine from last season, but they’re far from a pushover. Brandon Davies, Matt Carlino and Noah Hartsock are excellent players for the post, guard and wing and should give Gonzaga a run, particularly if the 3s fall. But BYU doesn’t have Gonzaga’s depth, which may be the difference.
Duke at Virginia Tech, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
The Hokies (12-9) are doing their best to miss any bubble talk this season, losing six of their last seven. But they’re not nearly as bad as their record indicates and are always a thorn in the Devils’ side. Plus, Mike Krzyzewski wasn’t overly pleased with how Duke (18-3) played in Saturday’s win against St. John’s. Upset coming?
Oral Roberts at South Dakota State, 8 p.m.
There isn’t TV for this one, but see if you can track down an Internet feed. (I know, that’s harder than ever these days.) Oral Roberts (20-4) hasn’t lost since Dec. 15, a 13-game win streak that’s not on anyone’s national radar. That’ll be tested at the Jackrabbits, who are the Summit League’s second best team and have the league’s best player in Nate Wolters.
UCLA at Washington, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
The Bruins (12-9) have no business winning at Washington (14-7), but if this Pac-12 season has taught us anything, it’s that any team can lose at any time. The Huskies have been much better of late (thanks to Tony Wroten) and really need to hold court against the L.A. schools to stay in the title race.
Arizona at California, 11 p.m. (FSN)
The Wildcats (14-8) don’t have Kevin Parrom, one of their most versatile players. Cal (17-5) presents enough problems for a fully healthy team. Mostly curious how Sean Miller’s team responds given the Bears are trying to secure an at-large bid.
EAST
Quinnipiac at Fairleigh Dickinson, 7 p.m.
Canisius at Iona, 7 p.m.
Bryant at LIU, 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart at Monmouth (NJ), 7 p.m.
St. Francis (Pa.) at Mount St. Mary’s, 7 p.m.
CCSU at St. Francis (NY), 7 p.m.
Robert Morris at Wagner, 7 p.m.
Marist at Manhattan, 8 p.m.
SOUTH
Samford at Appalachian St., 7 p.m.
Charleston Southern at Campbell, 7 p.m.
Coll. of Charleston at Elon, 7 p.m.
Presbyterian at High Point, 7 p.m.
Gardner-Webb at Liberty, 7 p.m.
S. Virginia at Longwood, 7 p.m.
James Madison at Old Dominion, 7 p.m.
Winthrop at Radford, 7 p.m.
The Citadel at UNC Greensboro, 7 p.m.
UNC Asheville at VMI, 7 p.m.
Duke at Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.
Chattanooga at W. Carolina, 7 p.m.
Tennessee Tech at Austin Peay, 8 p.m.
SE Missouri at Murray St., 8 p.m.
Jacksonville St. at UT-Martin, 8 p.m.
Denver at Louisiana-Lafayette, 8:05 p.m.
FAU at South Alabama, 8:05 p.m.
FIU at Troy, 8:30 p.m.
South Carolina at Florida, 9 p.m.
MIDWEST
Wright St. at Butler, 7 p.m.
Nebraska at Northwestern, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Valparaiso, 7:30 p.m.
E. Kentucky at E. Illinois, 8 p.m.
Youngstown St. at Ill.-Chicago, 8 p.m.
S. Utah at N. Dakota St., 8 p.m.
Oral Roberts at S. Dakota St., 8 p.m.
Morehead St. at SIU-Edwardsville, 8 p.m.
IPFW at W. Illinois, 8 p.m.
SOUTHWEST
Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas St., 8 p.m.
Middle Tennessee at North Texas, 8 p.m.
Utah Valley at Texas-Pan American, 8 p.m.
North Dakota at Houston Baptist, 8:05 p.m.
FAR WEST
E. Washington at N. Arizona, 8:35 p.m.
Oregon St. at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Idaho St. at Montana St., 9 p.m.
Oregon at Utah, 9 p.m.
UCLA at Washington, 9 p.m.
Portland St. at Weber St., 9 p.m.
Sacramento St. at N. Colorado, 9:05 p.m.
Idaho at Fresno St., 10 p.m.
Utah St. at Nevada, 10 p.m.
San Diego at Saint Mary’s (Cal), 10 p.m.
Portland at Santa Clara, 10 p.m.
Arizona St. at Stanford, 10 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara at CS Northridge, 10:05 p.m.
Cal Poly at Cal St.-Fullerton, 10:05 p.m.
Southern Cal at Washington St., 10:05 p.m.
Pepperdine at Loyola Marymount, 10:30 p.m.
UC Davis at UC Irvine, 10:30 p.m.
Gonzaga at BYU, 11 p.m.
Arizona at California, 11 p.m.
Pacific at UC Riverside, 11 p.m.
You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.