WCC Basketball

The Federal Aviation Administration is reportedly investigating a situation at the Los Angeles International Airport in which an air traffic controller had to stop a chartered jet carrying the Gonzaga men's basketball team, helping it narrowly avoid another plane that was taking off in the same vicinity.

A report from NBC LA and Rob King of KXLY in Spokane, Washington, detailed the situation, noting it happened at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time on Friday when the Bulldogs were arriving in Los Angeles for a game against UCLA.

A Delta commercial plane ended up taking off on the runway near where the Key Lime Air chartered jet was taxiing following its flight.

"We understand that the incident at LAX is under investigation and we will review this information as it becomes available," Gonzaga said in a statement. "Our team members aboard the aircraft were unaware of the situation as it occurred and we are grateful that the incident ended safely for all."

The FAA said Gonzaga's plane managed to avoid the runway while the Delta plane was taking off, while a Delta spokesperson said its flight operated as expected.

UCLA ended up winning the Saturday game 65-62 after Skyy Clark made two key free throws in the final seconds and Ryan Nembhard missed a three-pointer that would have forced overtime.

The Bulldogs are 9-4 but have struggled of late following a 7-1 start.

They are 2-3 in their last five with losses to UCLA, Kentucky and UConn. They also lost to West Virginia earlier this season but figure to find their footing in conference play once their WCC schedule starts.

The best men's college basketball prospect in the country is going to BYU.

AJ Dybantsa announced on Tuesday's episode of First Take that he is joining BYU, choosing them over fellow finalists Kansas, North Carolina and Alabama.

AJ Dybantsa – the top-ranked prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft class – has committed to Brigham Young University, he announces on ESPN's First Take. Landmark day for the BYU Cougars. pic.twitter.com/8qB64WqtIE

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 10, 2024

The 6'9" small forward is the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

He was initially part of the 2026 class but decided to reclassify to the 2025 one and get a jumpstart on his collegiate career. That he remained the No. 1 overall prospect in his class despite moving up a year only underscores his overwhelming ability and potential.

Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports projected Dybantsa as a future top-10 pick in the NBA in large part because of his offense and ability to score the ball in a number of different ways.

Finkelstein called the prospect's pull-up game "lethal," which should help him create open looks at the next level. He can score from the outside, get out in transition and attack the lane off the bounce, and the combination of his size and overall skill package makes him a matchup nightmare from the small forward spot.

That same combination of size and athleticism also suggests Dybantsa can become a defensive star as well as someone who can protect the rim, help control the boards and get into passing lanes while staying in front of ball-handlers if necessary.

While he will be under the spotlight and facing elevated expectations as a college freshman, it would be surprising if Dybantsa ends up being anything other than a star and likely one-and-done player as he turns his attention toward the next level.

And that is surely exactly what BYU is looking for with this decision.

The Cougars were dealt a blow when head coach Mark Pope left for Kentucky, which put the pressure on new coach Kevin Young to quickly establish success. And the best way to do that is by performing well on the recruiting trail.

This is more than just performing well. This is landing the best prospect in the country, which should set BYU up to be a force in the Big 12 during the 2025-26 campaign.

It might even set it up to win an NCAA tournament game for the first time since 2012.

A week of upsets continued on Wednesday as No. 3 Gonzaga lost to West Virginia 86-78 in overtime in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Leading by double digits in the second half, Gonzaga seemed on its way to a win, but the Mountaineers came storming back behind Javon Small's 31 points and nine three-pointers to force overtime.

West Virginia outscored Gonzaga 15-7 in overtime to pick up an early-season signature win.

After the game, fans were stunned to see the Mountaineers upset Mark Few's squad.

👀 WEST VIRGINIA STUNS GONZAGA 👀

A signature win for @WVUhoops and Darian DeVries! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wVEGUSGyrC

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) November 27, 2024

West Virginia just picked up its biggest win post-Bob Huggins. The Mountaineers upset Gonzaga at the Battle 4 Atlantis. They are partying on Thanksgiving Eve in Morgantown!

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 27, 2024

In the fourth win of the Darian DeVries era, West Virginia gets its first win ever over Gonzaga (6 games)

Incredible if you saw how WVU played Pitt less than two weeks ago in the Backyard Brawl

— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) November 27, 2024

COUNTRY ROADS, TAKE ME HOME …

West Virginia beats No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78. Enjoy, Mountaineers!

If there’s ever been a fan base that deserves it … it’s Mountaineer Nation.

— Jonathan Martin (@JonathanKMartin) November 27, 2024

FINAL: West Virginia 86, No. 3 Gonzaga 78

A stunner in the Bahamas. Mountaineers trailed by as many as 10 points before coming back & forcing OT. Javon Small was terrific, finished with 31 and 7. Gonzaga’s stars struggled — Graham Ike basically sat for the final 20 minutes.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 27, 2024

In the past two days, the team that was picked 13th in the Big 12 Preseason Poll --- West Virginia --- beat Gonzaga and the team that was picked 15th --- Colorado --- beat UConn.

The depth of this league looks better than it's ever been.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 27, 2024

#WVU TAKES DOWN #3 GONZAGA IN OT pic.twitter.com/hgCb35pN4X

— Anjelica Trinone (@AnjelicaTrinone) November 27, 2024

That is a Goliath win for West Virginia. Rallied to get it to overtime. Then totally took Gonzaga’s lunch money after that. Wildest Feast Week ever?

— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) November 27, 2024

Take me home, country roads. What a win for Darian DeVries and West Virginia over Gonzaga. Javon Small was unbelievable with 31 points. Amani Hansberry imposed his will with 19 and 8. Tucker DeVries came up clutch.

And the Mountaineers earn a MASSIVE resume win.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) November 27, 2024

West Virginia!

EMPHATIC upset by the Mountaineers in the Battle 4 Atlantis, as they knock off #3 Gonzaga for their 1st L of the year. The Zags were up 5 with 20 seconds left in regulation, but West Virginia was able to claw back for the W.

Ballroom basketball never disappoints.

— TSB (@TSBBracketology) November 27, 2024

Monster victory for West Virginia after trailing by double digits in 2H and by five with under 30 seconds to go. So many missed opportunities for Gonzaga.

Feast Week is undefeated.... less than two weeks from getting blasted by 24 at Pitt, WVU takes down a contender for No. 1.

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) November 27, 2024

The first year of the Darian DeVries era in West Virginia got off to a bit of a rocky start when the Mountaineers lost to unranked Pittsburgh 86-62 just a few weeks ago. Now, West Virginia has a signature win with a chance to boost its resume even more before leaving The Bahamas.

The Mountaineers will now face Louisville, which beat No. 14 Indiana 89-61 earlier on Wednesday.

West Virginia, which has made the NCAA Tournament just two times since 2018, is hoping to finally get things moving back in the right direction. While it's still early, a win over a top team is a good start.

Gonzaga men's basketball head coach Mark Few announced his successor on Monday, tabbing assistant coach Brian Michaelson to eventually replace him.

"Michaelson will be the guy that takes over for me," he said on the College Hoops Today Podcast. "That's the great thing about Gonzaga. We always have the next guy up in line."

While Few knows who he wants his successor to be, he didn't specify how much longer he plans on coaching.

"I don't spend a lot of time on that," he said. "I don't have a five-year plan or 10-year plan."

Michaelson will have big shoes to fill whenever the time comes. Under the 61-year-old Few, Gonzaga has gone 716-143 in 25 seasons, reached the NCAA tournament 24 straight times (it wasn't held in the 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and has reached a pair of Final Fours. Gonzaga has gotten past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament 13 times under Few's watch, though a national championship has eluded them.

Under his watch, the Bulldogs have won at least a share of the regular season title 22 times and have claimed 19 conference tournament championships. He was named the Associated Press' Coach of the Year in 2017 and has seen a number of his players reach the NBA, including Domantas Sabonis, Jalen Suggs, Brandon Clarke, Chet Holmgren, Corey Kispert, Kelly Olynyk, Rui Hachimura and Adam Morrison, among others.

Michaelson is himself a former walk-in for the program and has served on Few's staff since the 2013 season. The current head coach had previously tabbed Tommy Lloyd as his next-in-line, but Lloyd took the Arizona Wildcats' head-coaching position in 2021.

Few himself succeeded Dan Monson after being on his staff for 10 years.

Loyola Marymount forward Jevon Porter, brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. and Jontay Porter, was arrested Friday night on suspicion of DWI.

Missouri State Sgt. Kyle Green confirmed Porter's arrest in Boone County to ESPN's Myron Medcalf. He was initially stopped for speeding prior to the arrest.

Green told Medcalf that Porter was released on summons and not booked into jail.

Loyola Marymount issued a statement about Porter's arrest to Medcalf: "We are aware of recent reports in the media and are gathering information about the matter."

Per the online arrest report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Porter was charged with DWI and speeding. He was arrested at 1:31 a.m. local time on April 27.

A 3-star recruit coming out of high school in 2022, Porter played his first two college seasons at Pepperdine. He finished second on the team in scoring during the 2023-24 campaign with 16.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game to receive All-WCC honorable mention honors.

Porter entered the transfer portal in March and signed a letter of intent with Loyola Marymount on April 22.

Michael Porter Jr. is in his sixth season with the Nuggets after being selected with the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban from the NBA on April 17 for violating league rules related to gambling, including wagering on games. He most recently played for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 26 games this season.

Gonzaga and Kansas were playing what looked like it might be a classic game for the first half of Saturday's second-round showdown in the NCAA men's tournament, with the No. 4 seed Jayhawks taking a 44-43 lead into the break.

And then the fifth-seeded Bulldogs went Super Saiyan.

Gonzaga reeled off a 37-9 run to start the second half en route to an 89-68 blowout win. The Bulldogs opened the half by hitting on 11 of their first 12 field goals, while Kansas missed 15 shots in that span.

IT'S A 15-0 RUN FROM GONZAGA 😱#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ScXwALKJw4

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2024

EVERYTHING IS GOING IN 🤯

GONZAGA HAS BLOWN THIS GAME WIDE OPEN!#MarchMadness @ZagMBB pic.twitter.com/yxiyk9uzY4

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2024

Gonzaga throws it down with AUTHORITY 😤🔨 pic.twitter.com/P3YBE8J6fY

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 23, 2024

Sometimes, a tourney game is decided by one team getting hot. Other times, a team going cold seals their fate. Both happened simultaneously in the second half on Saturday.

Anton Watson paced the Bulldogs with 21 points and six rebounds, while Nolan Hickman added 17 points. Hunter Dickinson (15 points, five boards, four assists) did what he could for the Jayhawks.

But this was all Gonzaga, and social media gave the team its deserved flowers after the contest:

Gonzaga may just go to the final 4.

— DenverGhost (@SmokeNugs) March 23, 2024

Yeah man. If IF Purdue gets past Utah State, they aren’t getting past Gonzaga. Their offensive efficiency the last month and a half has been off the charts good.

— Chris "Murph" Anderson (@murph6000) March 23, 2024

Well Gonzaga kept playing great basketball. Kansas not so much. https://t.co/ieEOlmGwfY

— Anchorage Man (@SethPartnow) March 23, 2024

Gonzaga did what in the second half?

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 23, 2024

Wow what a great display of offensive efficiency by @ZagMBB in the 2nd half vs @KUHoops . The Jayhawks led by 1 at half but Gonzaga totally dominated 2nd half & win 89-68.Mark Few & his Zags r SWEET SIXTEEN bound . 9 straight Sweet Sixteens for Gonzaga . Yes Kansas will…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 23, 2024

Make it nine straight Sweet 16 appearances for Gonzaga. That level of consistency is very impressive in the age of one-and-done recruits and the transfer portal, and Mark Few was praised after the win, too:

For Gonzaga to be back there like this in what was supposed to be a down year, where they lose Venters in the preseason with a knee injury, and don't quite look like they're going to gel around midseason?

Mark Few is such a ridiculous coach. Unbelievable teacher of the game.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 23, 2024

Ninth straight Sweet Sixteen for Gonzaga. Incredible run of sustained success in a tournament where the first weekend always has land mines. Zags dominating Kansas today.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 23, 2024

Gonzaga will make its ninth-straight @MarchMadnessMBB Sweet 16 appearance -- a remarkable feat. Conference affiliation means nothing in March. The Zags continue to win when it matters most. Period.

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) March 23, 2024

Mark Few at Gonzaga:

24 straight NCAA Tournaments.

9 straight Sweet 16s.

Has been a part of March Madness in EVERY season since he's been a head coach.

And maybe did his best job this season.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 23, 2024

A few weeks ago, we weren’t sure if Gonzaga would make the NCAA tourney.

Mark Few kept that streak going, and now he’s kept another incredible streak alive.

NINE CONSECUTIVE SWEET 16’s.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 23, 2024

Saturday's result doesn't come as the biggest surprise. Gonzaga was only one seed lower than Kansas, has won 11 of its past 12 games and the Jayhawks were without star guard Kevin McCullar Jr. due to a bone bruise on his knee.

But does anybody want to see this Gonzaga team right now? Purdue is the top seed in the Midwest region, but a potential Sweet 16 matchup with the Bulldogs would be a formidable test.

Kansas ran into an absolute buzzsaw in the second half, a reminder of what this Gonzaga team is capable of when it's hitting on all cylinders.

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During the early stages of No. 6 BYU's upset loss to No. 11 Duquesne in the first round of the NCAA tournament, sophomore guard Dallin Hall took a blow to his face while going for a rebound, leaving him with a bloody nose.

Play had to be stopped less than three minutes into the game after Hall went down, as the blood needed to be cleaned off the court:

Hall managed to stay in the game and played 36 minutes in BYU's 71-67 loss. He finished with 11 points, six assists and four steals.

Duquesne's win left a ton of brackets busted early on Thursday:

Duquesne was the LEAST-PICKED 11-seed this year 😱 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ZHHfXBGHmO

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2024

Hall led the Cougars with an average of 5.0 assists this season, so he should retain the role of lead distributor when the team returns for the 2024-25 campaign.

Oregon State and Washington State are reportedly joining the West Coast Conference as an affiliate member for at least the next two seasons.

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reported the former Pac-12 stalwarts will join for all Division I sports besides football and baseball. Oregon State and Washington State are each set to play six games against Mountain West schools next season but will not serve as a conference member.

The WCC does not have a football division.

Oregon State and Washington State remain interested in reviving the Pac-12, which will lose 10 of its 12 members next year. UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon are set to join the Big Ten, while Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Stanford and Utah are defecting to the Big 12.

Oregon State and Washington State recently won a court battle for control of the Pac-12, a ruling that allows the two schools to control $400 million in revenue. The two remaining schools blocked the distribution of 15 percent of revenue to the 10 departing schools earlier this month.

"As the only two remaining members, OSU and WSU are the only schools committed to the best interest of the Pac-12," the remaining schools said in a statement. "That means taking responsible steps to protect the assets of the Conference and plan for the future. No member acting in the Pac-12's best interest would allow departing schools to drain the Conference's assets on their way out the door, while they refuse to pay their fair share of the liabilities."

Washington State and Oregon State can keep the Pac-12 as a two-team conference for the next two years. After that point, the NCAA requires at least eight member schools or the conference will face dissolution.

The Pac-12 was founded in 1915 as the Pacific Coast Conference.

Former Creighton point guard Ryan Nembhard is transferring to Gonzaga ahead of the 2023-24 season, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Friday.

Nembhard, ranked as the ninth-best player in the transfer portal this spring by 247Sports, chose Gonzaga over Arizona, Alabama and UCF.

The 20-year-old said that his brother, Andrew Nembhard, played a role in his decision to transfer to Gonzaga. Andrew Nembhard transferred to Gonzaga from Florida after the 2019-20 season and improved his NBA draft stock over two seasons with the program.

The Indiana Pacers went on to select Andrew in the second round of the 2022 draft.

"Of course my brother had been telling me for years what a great coach Mark [Few] was," Ryan Nembhard said. "And it's obvious Andrew was well prepared for the NBA by Coach Few and all the staff at Gonzaga the two years he was there; he started more games this year as a rookie than any other Pacers rookie has started in over 20 years.

"Winning, development, and overall happiness are all things I'm hunting. Andrew can't help me find them. I have to do that on my own. Gonzaga is the place for me, I can just tell."

Ryan Nembhard had a solid 2022-23 season with Creighton, averaging 12.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 37 games while shooting 43.2 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from deep.

He helped lead the Bluejays to a berth in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

Now headed to Gonzaga, Ryan will attempt to held lead the Bulldogs to glory in the post-Drew Timme era.