<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Putting on his best one-game-at-a-time face, Lorenzo Romar made an observation the other day about preparation for his next opponent. "We try to approach Gonzaga," said the Washington basketball coach, "like we approached Idaho and we approached Morgan State." Right, just like you're as apt to be aware of the appointment for your next lube job as you are about your impending wedding. Sunday night, the Zags come calling again, and there are broad hints they're regarded as the next thing to bird flu around Montlake. When you've lost seven in a row to another team, it happens. The Washington schedule to date seems carefully crafted for an early-season peak with Gonzaga. Nothing for eight days before this game, or for five days after, and no real competitive threats until now. Romar has also been conducting largely closed practices, controlling them more tightly this season. That's not an indictment of the way he's doing business ? you have to like the results so far ? just a whiff of how serious he is about this game. His players have also made it clear this is a crusade. The Huskies, after all, have achieved appreciable success under Romar, and yet Gonzaga is the burr they haven't removed. It must be like the Washington State football teams of 2001-03, winners of 30 games, yet none against Washington. In this vein, we consulted a noted baller/philosopher named Gary Payton to get his take on the game. "Ha," Payton spat. "It don't mean nothin'." Actually, we didn't do anything of the sort. But Payton's pat answer to most questions is not so far removed from the truth about this game. In the big picture, it means very little. Think about last season. The Huskies, fresh from a championship in the Great Alaska Shootout, flew to Spokane, where the Zags were lying in wait. In a very good game, Gonzaga won, 99-87.</div> Source
My most anticipated game of the year. Don't care who wins.. just anxious to see my two favorite teams go at it.
