GONZAGA COACH ADMITS BETTER LEAGUE FOR HIS BULLDOGS DISCUSSED
salt lake city» Gonzaga got the credit it deserved this year — in the form of a No. 1 seed — for making its schedule as challenging as it could. Maybe it shouldn’t be so hard, though. Preparing for Saturday’s second-round game against Northwestern, Bulldogs coach Mark Few said “we don’t have our head in the sand” when it comes to the conference realignment that has shaken up college hoops over the past decade, and how those changes could eventually come to the campus in Spokane, Wash.
“I think about it. I’m always talking to that guy about it,” Few said, as he pointed toward Gonzaga athletic director Mike Roth. “We’ve got a brand. We’re going to do what’s best for Gonzaga. If something presents itself, we’re certainly looking, the way other people have looked and analyzed to see how it would work for them.”
Few said Gonzaga, now in its 19th straight NCAA Tournament and in the second round for the ninth straight year, has no problem scheduling pretty much any team it wants. This season’s nonconference schedule included tournament teams Florida, Iowa State and Arizona. Still, once January rolls around, conference opponents overtake Gonzaga’s schedule and the Bulldogs normally roll. Their conference record over the last five seasons: 80-8.
Asked if he secretly wished there were a few more UCLAs and Arizonas on the schedule every year, junior guard Silas Melson responded: “Honest answer, yes. We’re totally fine with the competition we play. But watching on TV, the Big Ten games, Pac-12, we want to be among the best like that.”
Footnotes.
North Carolina State has hired UNC Wilmington’s Kevin Keatts to take over as head basketball coach. The school announced Keatts’ hiring in a news release Friday night. … Florida A&M University is searching for a new men’s basketball coach after deciding not to renew Byron Samuels’ contract. Samuels was 17-71 in three years, including 7-23 this season. … Virginia forward Isaiah Wilkins, the team’s leading rebounder, is doubtful to play Saturday against Florida because of strep throat. The 6-foot-7 junior is averaging 6.8 points and 6.0 rebounds. He also leads the team in blocks (43) and steals (33). “He has been the heart and soul of our defense,” Bennett said. “This virus is hanging on. He’s lost some weight and just can’t ... I’m not expecting him to play, but you never know.”