Week ahead

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Saturday: vs. Loyola Marymount in the McCarthey Athletic Center, 1 p.m. (KAYU-TV).

Monday: vs. Pepperdine in the McCarthey Athletic Center, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

Outlook: The Bulldogs open WCC play against a once-solid LMU team that has been slowed by recent knee injuries to Brandon Worthy and Matthew Knight. Worthy is out for the year, but Knight is expected to make his return Saturday. Pepperdine scores WCC-best 82.5 ppg.

WSU Cougars

Today: Arizona St., 7 p.m.

Saturday: Arizona, 7 p.m., FSN

Outlook: The Cougars have a chance today to start a second straight Pac-10 season at 2-1, and that chance is coming against an Arizona State team that figures to be one of the conference’s weaker rivals. Things will be vastly different Saturday, when the No. 7 Wildcats come to Friel Court. Arizona is loaded this year, and figures to represent the best threat to UCLA.

Eastern Eagles

Today: at Northern Colorado, 6 p.m.

Saturday: at Northern Arizona, 5:35 p.m.

The Eagles play eight of their next 10 games on the road, starting with Northern Colorado. The Bears opened Big Sky play with a pair of narrow home losses to Weber State (61-60) and Sacramento State (74-70). NAU, picked by the coaches to defend its Big Sky title, beat Sacramento State 96-82 before losing a home game to Weber State 81-73.

Idaho Vandals

Tonight: at Fresno State, 7.

Saturday: at Nevada, 7:05 p.m.

Outlook: Idaho (2-10, 0-0 WAC) faces its toughest two-game conference stretch of the season. Fresno State (11-2) has four starters averaging in double figures, led by forward Quinton Hosley’s 14.8 points. The Bulldogs lead the WAC in scoring defense (62.9) and field-goal percentage defense (36). Nevada (12-1) has wins over Cal, Oregon State and Gonzaga. Nick Fazekas (20.9 points, 12.4 rebounds) is a player of the year candidate.