Northwest Notes June 1, 2022

Zags, Baylor to Faceoff in Sioux Falls on Dec. 2

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Gonzaga Bulldogs and Baylor Bears — the nation’s only programs ranked No. 1 in each of the last three seasons in NCAA Division I men's basketball — will play on Dec. 2 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., the Sanford Pentagon officially announced.

This is a rematch of the 2021 national championship in which Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in Indianapolis on April 5, 2021.

Ticket information and a game time will be announced later.

This is the second time Gonzaga will play at the Sanford Pentagon. On Dec. 19, 2020, the No. 1 Bulldogs defeated the No. 3 Iowa Hawkeyes 99-88. Future top-five NBA draft pick Jalen Suggs scored a team-high 27 points in the victory. A member of the West Coast Conference, Gonzaga is coming off a 28-4 season and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16.

This is the first trip to Heritage Court for Baylor, members of the Big 12 Conference. The Bears finished the 2021-22 season with a 27-7 record, falling to eventual national runner-up, North Carolina, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

This will be the seventh meeting between Gonzaga and Baylor.

Since opening in 2013, the Sanford Pentagon has hosted 38 Division I men’s college basketball games. The Pentagon has also hosted 16 NCAA Division I women's college basketball games including a doubleheader last season featuring eventual national champion South Carolina, Final Four participant Louisville, Sweet 16 participant South Dakota and NCAA Tournament qualifier Arizona.

Idaho men add Wenatchee Valley transfer Jones

MOSCOW — Idaho men's basketball coach Zac Claus announced the signing of fourth-year junior transfer Isaac Jones on Tuesday.

Jones, a 6-8 forward/center from Spanaway, Wash., played the last three years at Wenatchee Valley College. In 2021-22, he started in 31 of 32 games for the Knights, where he led the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) in scoring (25.3 ppg), rebounds (13.2 rpg) and field goal percentage (69.5). He also posted the second-most blocks per game with 1.7. In a 107-102 win over Walla Walla CC on Jan. 19, Jones totaled 61 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks.

Jones went on to receive 2021-22 NWAC Player of the Year, East Region Most Valuable Player, and Defensive Player of the Year.

The Pacific Northwest native helped lead the Knights to the East Region title and an NWAC Final Four appearance in 2022. WVC posted a 15-1 regional record and the No. 1 scoring offense (93.1 ppg).

Jones chose Idaho over offers from Boise State, Fresno State, Iowa State, Oregon State and Washington State.

Jones was coached by 2022 NWAC East Region Coach of the Year, Jeremy Harden.