Grip on Sports: As the college basketball season prepares to tip off, Gonzaga once again is one of the sport’s bluebloods

A GRIP ON SPORTS • College basketball polls really don’t matter, do they? It’s a sport that determines its champion through competition, not a vote. So why does it seem so cool when a local school is ranked in the top three in the nation? Read on.

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• There are a lot of reasons why Gonzaga’s placing of third in the Associated Press’ preseason basketball poll is exciting for Spokane basketball fans. Every new accomplishment the school conquers is exciting, right? But to see Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and Virginia listed alongside the Catholic university by the river, it just seems a bit surreal still.

If you’ve lived in Spokane for a while, you may just remember the days when such things were not just thought impossible, but weren’t even thought of at all.

Heck, there was a time around here when a regular season win over DePaul got everyone celebrating.

Now the Zags may not even schedule the Blue Demons.

The long, upward climb the basketball program has taken since the early 1990s is still hard to wrap your mind around. It was as unforeseen as it is remarkable.

Over the years there have been incredible highs as the school, under coach Mark Few, has reached one milestone event after another. From a No. 1 regular-season ranking to a Final Four – and an appearance in the title game – there is only one thing the program has yet to do. Win a national title.

That’s why this week’s ranking is important. Entering the season, Gonzaga is given a great shot at winning a title, just as the bluebloods represented in the top five are given every season.

It doesn’t mean it will happen. Only one team can win. But if you were to list in your head the schools you thought could win the NCAA title this season, it would include Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and, yes, Gonzaga.

It’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Now get in your home Wayback Machine, travel back to 1990 and tell your younger self, as you prepare the kids for a night among 750 of your closest friends at the old Kennel, that 2018 would bring such an occurrence. Then step back. Because that version of you won’t believe it.

No one would.

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WSU: We now know who the Microsoft engineer is. You know, the guy who helped Mike Leach design the odd formation the Cougars have used a few times this season? Theo Lawson has a story on Leach’s reveal. … Theo also has stories on Gardner Minshew receiving more honors, Leach talking about the Pac-12’s depth, the announcement of next week’s kickoff time being delayed, a first look at Stanford and whether or not Washington State will be fined for its fans rushing the field after the Oregon win. … Theo was also Larry Weir’s guest on the latest Press Box pod. Today’s guest will be even more exciting, but we won’t spoil my appearance for you.

Elsewhere in the Pac-12, the conference office is still embroiled in the controversy surrounding the USC game officiating and that’s not a good thing. … Who will ultimately come out on top in the South? … Washington is, thanks to WSU’s win over Oregon, back in control of its fate in the North. You would almost think the two schools are acting in concert. Ha, that would never happen. … Oregon doesn’t have a clue who will play quarterback for Arizona and that makes a big difference. … Colorado has the same problem preparing for Oregon State, though the Beavers rely more on a running back. … The quarterback situation at UCLA is also up in the air prior to Friday’s meeting with hotter-than-heck Utah. … USC may start fast but the Trojans’ finishes have left a lot to be desired. Though Arizona State wouldn’t mind seeing another late flop.

Gonzaga: The poll news is the main event, of course, but Jim also has a story concerning Johnathan Williams’ NBA debut. He scored eight points in the Lakers’ overtime loss to San Antonio. … Back to the polls, this voter has Gonzaga second.

EWU and Idaho: Around the Big Sky, other than the rivalry game in Cheney, the biggest game this weekend is at Montana, where UC Davis makes a visit. … Northern Colorado picked up its first win last week under tough circumstances. … Weber State has never been ranked higher. … Idaho State is still figuring out what happened last Saturday. … Finally, Montana State’s Jeff Choate has shaken up his coaching staff.

Chiefs: Jaret Anderson-Dolan is headed back to Spokane after playing in five games with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.

Preps: Regular-season champion University will face Mt. Spokane for the GSL slowpitch title after both won tournament semifinal games yesterday.

Seahawks: One thing the bye did for Seattle was help the team heal. There are some important players on the practice field this week. … Don’t expect Paul Allen’s name on the Hawks’ field anytime soon. … Next up is the Lions.

Sounders: Can Seattle earn a playoff bye? … Hosting the World Cup would cost a lot but return a lot as well.

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• What Gonzaga has been able to accomplish might be one of the most interesting and unexpected in all of college sports over the past 50 years. I can’t think of much that would top it. Until later …