Washington-Gonzaga series not a done deal

2009-10-25T20:47:56-04:00

<div class="photo_container image_right" style="width: 300px;"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://www.si.com/2009_images/Gonzaga-Washington.jpg" alt="Double Click to select a Photo" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">AP</div> </div> <p>The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that the University of Washington has proposed renewing its annual series with Gonzaga. UW's proposal calls for a three-year contract stipulating that all the games would be played in Seattle's KeyArena.<br /><br />I found this story to be curious for two reasons. First, because Washington, and specifically coach Lorenzo Romar, were openly commenting on a proposal that Gonzaga had barely read, much less seriously considered. And second, that Washington would imagine Gonzaga might agree to play all of the games at an arena that is not only in UW's backyard, but nearly 300 miles from Gonzaga's campus in Spokane.<br /><br />After speaking with Gonzaga coach Mark Few on Thursday, I can sum up his response in three words: Not bloody likely.<br /><br />"The chances of that happening are about the same as Big Foot having my baby," Few said. "That's like me saying, Gonzaga proposes a five-year deal at Spokane Arena. There, I just made a proposal. That's as logical as this deal [would be]."<br /><br />Gonzaga and Washington played 10 consecutive seasons from 1998-2007, with the last seven meetings alternating between each team's on-campus arena. Gonzaga had won eight of the last nine meetings when Washington called things to a halt. Though Washington is proposing to allocate half the tickets in Key Arena to Gonzaga fans, most coaches, Few included, would not consider Seattle to be a neutral site.<br /><br />"The series should start in Spokane because Washington canceled the series," Few said. "If they want to do a home-and-home, that's fine. If they don't, let's all move on. We have some incredible home-and-home deals right now with Wake [Forest], Michigan State and Xavier. We're doing a deal with Oklahoma. We have plenty of games, so it's not that important for us to play Washington."<br /><br />Despite the recent one-sidedness of the series, it would be great for the state of Washington, and for college basketball in general, for these two prominent programs to resume playing. Romar told me on Thursday that he didn't see the issue of KeyArena as a permanent site to be a dealbreaker. "We just sent out the proposal. It's too early for me to start marking territory," Romar said. "We always said eventually we wanted to resume the series. We've made a proposal and we'll have to see what happens."<br /><br />Romar denied that his team's poor results against the Zags was a factor in Washington's decision to pull out. "Our schedule began to get away from us, and we were trying to reel it back," he said. Looks to me like they reeled it back too far -– Washington's nonconference schedules the last several years have consisted almost entirely of home games against middling opponents -– but I give Romar credit for taking this first step. If, however, he wants this series to resume, he's going to have to agree to play some games in Spokane.<br /><br />"When they pulled out, I was totally, unequivocally cool with it. Scheduling is hard," Few said. "We've been down this road many times before. This decision will be made between myself, Lorenzo and the two athletic directors. It won't get done through the media."<br /><br />So long as they get it done.</p> <p><em>Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/SethDavisHoops">Seth Davis on Twitter</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000401200701">click here to friend him on Facebook</a></em></p> Washington-Gonzaga series not a done deal

2009-10-22T18:42:26-04:00

2009-10-25T20:47:56-04:00

Mark'sVet

Kirkland 900747

13 The devil is in the details. Notice he didn't rule out sheep! 7398273

2009-10-24T22:57:04-04:00

CactusPete

No City 899753

12 I have always respected Mark Few and the Gonzaga Program. As an Arizona Wildcat fan we have shared a great out of conference rivialry. If the PAC-10 was to expand to the PAC-11 Gonzaga would be the first Team I would welcome. The Huskies have to eat alittle piece of Humble pie if they want to improve their out of conference competiton with the Bulldogs. 7391918

2009-10-24T02:08:30-04:00

ZagDog

Post Falls 898494

11 Very good couple comments from "D Hawk". I think he summed it up very eloquently. I would like to add, that it's not an easy trip to Seattle in the dead of winter. The fan base has to get over the Cascades in the snow, the hotels are pricey downtown, and let's not forget it would be an expensive ticket. Explain again why that's better than "huckin' the Fuskies" in Spokane? 7386121

2009-10-24T01:55:42-04:00

Tremayne3

Spokane 898970

10 It is hilarious how UW fans see this as a good deal. Are they really serious. GU does not "need" another game in Seattle. Their fans are already restless for more home appearances. On top of that, much much better programs than the Huskies are willing to come to the Kennel. Amazing. 7386051

2009-10-24T00:07:54-04:00

D Hawk

Spokane 898723

9 GU should feel lucky? For the privilege to travel to Seattle to beat UW? Odd how we can beat PAC 10 teams in pre-season but couldn't compete in the conference. What should we expect from a Sonic fan that still clings to the NBA after the part they played in stealing that franchise. Dillusional... 7385440

2009-10-23T23:43:03-04:00

sonix4lf

Rancho Santa Margarita 898931

8 The Zags couldn't compete in the Pac-10. You should feel lucky Washington would allow you to showcase yourselves in Seattle. You'll never be anything more than ESPN's West Coast starchild. 7385222

2009-10-23T19:32:04-04:00

D Hawk

Spokane 898723

7 I'm a fan of both programs (went to both schools) and would love to see them play each other every year. However, the proposal isn't fair. While it is "only" 300 miles to Seattle, it still means a plane ride and a few days away from home for GU. Considering their already-burdened travel schedule for tournaments and getting some non-conference games against good programs, the UW offer is lacking. While UW has had some good seasons lately, that hasn't always been the case over the last 10 years. Spokane's Arena will hold about 12,000 for basketball. That won't bring in quite as much as Key Arena, but it isn't like UW can guarantee they will have a high RPI over the next three seasons to help GU with Tourney seeding / strength of schedule (assuming GU's continued success). How does this proposal really benefit GU? I don't think an extra $25,000 every other year will make or break the program. 7383253

2009-10-23T17:19:53-04:00

Seattle 898633

6 Gonzaga has won eight of the last nine meetings... and UW cancelled the series only to schedule cupcake opponents at home. I personally would love to see the series continue. It is a little one sided to propose that every year the game be played in Seattle. The only way they should continue this series is if they rotate games between the Spokane Arena and the Key Arena. UW is acting like they are doing Gonzaga a huge favor by proposing this idea. In reality... Gonzaga would be doing UW a favor. Gonzaga doesn't need UW... they have teams playing them by the names of UCONN, Duke, Oklahoma, Memphis, Texas, etc. Those schools would laugh at UW. 7381777

2009-10-23T16:44:51-04:00

Seattle 898633

5 All I have to say is eight of the last nine meeting won by Gonzaga... they cancelled the series. UW should be doing all they can to play Gonzaga... they are the better program. 7381110

2009-10-23T16:08:42-04:00

rykhardjoy

Seattle 898615

4 Romar has never gotten over Few turning in Dollar for violations when he had just as much or more on Few and took the high road by not turning him in. A couple of bad seasons for the Zags and that awful Key Arena deal will be looking pretty good. How does that saying go??? Glasses houses, stones...something like that. 7380383

Seth Davis Hoops

Ridgefield 889748