Gameday Zags Around the Web

I'm sure EDZ will be by soon with a preview of the Portland Pilots but for now we've got a number of links and things for you as we get ready for Gonzaga to open up WCC play.  We all know that the Pilots are going to not only pose a huge challenge for the Zags tonight but also down the stretch in conference play.  They are a veteran-laden team that really didn't lose anything from last year's impressive squad.  Head coach Eric Reveno has done an outstanding job bringing in quality basketball players like junior college transfer T.J. Campbell to reinvigorate the once proud Pilots. 

Here are the days' links to get you ready for Portland and a few tidbits on recruiting...

-- Game Day: No. 19 Gonzaga at Portland men's basketball | Portland Pilots - – OregonLive.com

One of the better sports departments, OregonLive.com does a tremendous job with everything sports-related in the state of Oregon. From high schools all the way up to the Blazers, the folks over there really provide us with some great insight. In this article, they get you ready with some facts and figures on tonight's Gonzaga-Portland match up.

-- College Sports | Portland has a chance to make statement against Gonzaga in WCC opener | Seattle Times Newspaper

The Seattle Times also checks in with their Gonzaga-Portland preview. Bud Withers, who seems to be one of the lone Gonzaga supporters in the Seattle media, writes that Portland has a huge chance to get a leg up on the Zags tonight and make their presence felt. Obviously we are hoping for something totally different but it's a nice piece by Bud.

-- GU’s conference opener a tough one | Spokesman.com | Jan 9, 2010

Speaking on tremendous Gonzaga writers, not many do it better than The Spokesman-Review's Jim Meehan. Meehan has been the Zags beat writer for quite some time now and believes that tonight's game may be the toughest on our schedule. It's hard to argue with him as I'm sure the Pilots faithful will turn out big time in their biggest game of the year.

for some Elias Harris news and some recruiting links, keep reading after the jump...

-- NCAA Notebook: Zags' Harris Rising - NCAA College Basketball News | HOOPSWORLD -

Gonzaga's Elias Harris' strong play this season has him climbing draft boards as this NCAA basketball outlet writes. From Draft Express to ESPN's Chad Ford, everyone seems to be drooling over Elias' NBA prospects.

-- Skyview junior and Gonzaga commitment Kyle Dranginis does most of his talking on the court | Sports | Idaho Statesman

Just a tremendous article on future Gonzaga Bulldog Kyle Dranginis. Sounds like a ridiculously humble kid that has been lighting it up in Idaho prep hoops. He's averaging about 21 points a game for Skyview and is poised to once again take home the player of the year award in the state.

-- Kentridge 68 - Kent Meridian 61 | Seattle Times Newspaper

Gary Bell only scored 12 points last night but that is all his Kentridge Chargers needed as they took down the Royals of Kent-Meridian. Four Chargers scored in double figures as they are really becoming a complete team. They aren't the deepest team, however, as only six players had points.

-- Jordan Railey, Beaverton fall short of toppling Jesuit, Kyle Wiltjer - OregonLive.com

A fun match up last night between Iowa State commit Jordan Railey and heralded prospect Kyle Wiltjer. Kyle has offers from programs all over the nation, including Gonzaga, and the Jesuit star had 17 points in their two point victory.

-- High School Sports | Meadowdale boys stun Jackson, 77-61 | Prep Basketball Roundup | Seattle Times Newspaper

In a very odd result, Brett Kingma's Jackson team went to overtime against Meadowdale and still lost by 16 points. Jackson was outscored 18-2 in the extra session. The good news is that Kingma had 32 points in the loss. I am hesitant to say if Kingma is still on GU's radar because of Dranginis commitment but he's still a good one to follow as he could possible wind up somewhere in the WCC.