Attention turns to WSU's matchup with Gonzaga

The attention of the WSU fanbase is focused on football and the upcoming game against Utah, but it will shift slightly on Thursday ... at least for a few hours. The Cougars will head up to Spokane for the annual matchup with Gonzaga.

The yearly game against the Zags is one of the highlights of the non-conference schedule and also gives WSU fans the chance to reunite with a few Cougar favorites. Remember watching game-after-game in Root Sports' stunning 480p HD? Well, it will be just like old times tonight with the game being broadcast on Root Sports and KHQ.

If you don't know how to operate the mute button on your TV, I would suggest figuring it out before the game tips. Gonzaga play-by-play man Greg Heister will be on the call and he'll be joined by former Gonzaga players Richard Fox and Dan Dickau. The three are KHQ's regular Gonzaga broadcast team and will handle the duties with the simulcast on Root Sports.

Those pro Gonzaga announcers will probably lose their minds when Kevin Pangos adds the next chapter to his book of torturing the Cougars. Pangos haunted the Cougs the last two years, hitting nine threes in a 33-point effort in 2011 and destroying WSU's upset bid with a last-second layup last year.

With that said, that picture quality will look beautiful and those announcers will sound great if the Cougs come away with the win.

Football:

PULLMAN: WSU safety Deone Bucannon at best when teeth rattle | Washington State University | The News Tribune
It was apparent even in 2010 the Cougars had unearthed a future impact player in safety Deone Bucannon.

Martin Stadium has become home-field disadvantage for Cougars | Bud Withers | The Seattle Times
Utah and Washington State play a Pac-12 football game Saturday, and let’s call it what it is: the most important one for WSU in seven years.

WSU seniors prepare for final home game | NWCN.com Washington - Oregon - Idaho
The 19 Washington State seniors who will be playing their final home game this Saturday have been through some rough times on the football field.

Utah football: Washington State's Leach drawing praise | Deseret News
Washington State coach Mike Leach has been drawing a lot of praise this week. On Monday, his contract was extended through 2018.

Walk-on QB Adam Schulz to start for Utes vs. WSU - Spokesman.com - Nov. 20, 2013
As a walk-on quarterback lightly recruited out of high school, Adam Schulz didn’t exactly stand out when he first stepped onto Utah’s campus.

WSU Football Unit Grades: Arizona - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 20, 2013
The Cougars bring home a remarkably better report card home from the desert this week thanks to winning a critical Pac-12 matchup.

Wednesday WSU practice report - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 20, 2013
The Washington State football team had its coldest practice of the year, with the thermometer reading 29 degrees by the time the Cougars trotted off the field.

WSU's Bosch a Burlsworth nominee - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 20, 2013
The Springdale Rotary Club announced on Wednesday that WSU senior center Elliott Bosch is one of 53 nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the most outstanding player who began their career as a walk-on

Washington State Cougars, Utah Utes battle for bowl hopes - ESPN
One team hasn’t been able to win a conference game on the road. The other hasn’t been able to win a conference game at home. It’s the proverbial "something’s gotta give" when Utah travels to Washington State Saturday in a game that both teams desperately need to win to keep their hopes of a bowl berth alive.

Basketball:

Gonzaga, Few haven’t noticed uptick in fouls this season - Spokesman.com - Nov. 20, 2013

New rules and the enforcement of several pre-existing ones in college basketball have caused a stir nationally. Some games have become parades to the free-throw line.

Gonzaga vs. Washington State 2013 game preview: In-state rivals face off once again - The Slipper Still Fits
The Gonzaga Bulldogs take on the Washington St. Cougars in yet another annual meeting between the two schools.

Washington State Cougars vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Preview - CBSSports.com
Though his team struggled to beat a winless program in its last game, coach Mark Few was happy Gonzaga fought through a tough test. Maybe that's because he knows a few more could lie ahead in the near future.

WSU Heads North to Take on Gonzaga Thursday - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
COUGARS HEAD NORTH TO TAKE ON BULLDOGS: Washington State University men’s basketball (2-0) takes its first road trip of the season as it heads just north to Spokane to take on No. 13/12 Gonzaga (3-0), Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. at McCarthey Athletic Center (6,000).