Is it finally the year?

By Mike Kaufmann

Saturday's matchup against the Gonzaga Bulldogs is more pivotal than most realize. Should the Broncos pull out an upset over the highly favored Bulldogs, they would have the clear cut inside track to a conference title.

That's no easy feat, of course, as the 'Zags have an RPI score of 44. The RPI is a simple formula to determine a team's ranking using win percentage, opponents win percentage and strength of schedule. Santa Clara, at 65, is the only other WCC team in the top 100.

The 'Zags are also fresh off of two convincing wins in their opening weekend of conference play and are brimming with confidence. Include the fact that they handed current No. 1 North Carolina their only defeat and the Broncos appear to be heavily out-matched.

However, if there was ever a year where an upset was likely, this would be it. The Broncos completed one of their most successful non-conference schedules in Dick Davey's tenure, and came out with big wins against Stanford and Utah. They also played Air Force and Kentucky.

Although the 'Zags are still the West Coast Conference favorites, they aren't quite in the same sphere in terms of talent as they have been in the past.

Last season and years before, players such as Ronny Turiaf and Adam Morrison were sure-bet NBA players. Before them, Blake Stepp and others littered the Bulldogs squad with talent.

This year, although still talented, they don't have the caliber of player that we're used to seeing out of Spokane. An upset is much more than wishful thinking.

* After last season's ticket debacle where many students were denied entrance, the Ruff Riders decided to hand out 850 hard tickets a few days before the game on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets to the public were sold out by Dec. 10.

Contact Mike Kaufmann at (408) 551-1918 or mlkaufmann@scu.edu