Northwest Notes July 14, 2026

Gonzaga-Michigan State men's/women's doubleheader announced

PALM DESERT, Calif. — Gonzaga and Michigan State announced they will meet in a men's/women's basketball doubleheader Dec. 19 at Acrisure Arena. 

The women's game is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by the men's game at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

Additional event details will be announced when available. Admission for the Gonzaga vs. Michigan State women’s and men’s doubleheader will include access to both games under one ticket package. 

"Getting the chance to play against a terrific program in Gonzaga that is led by one of my great friends in college basketball, Mark Few, made this an easy game to put on our schedule," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

The Spartans expect to be led by a pair of fourth-year players in All-American guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and electric senior forward Coen Carr. Fears was an All-Big Ten First Team selection, earned five All-American honors and led the team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and the nation in assists (9.4 apg). Carr, one of the most electric players in college basketball, was third on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and third in rebounds (5.4 rpg). 

MSU returns five of its top eight scorers from last year, added senior center Anton Bonke and welcomes a four-player freshman class that was ranked among the top 10 in the country.

"Tom is not only one of the best coaches our game has ever had, but he's also a great friend and someone I admire tremendously," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "I have the utmost respect for him, both professionally and personally, so anytime our teams have the chance to compete against each other it's special."

Under third-year head coach Robyn Fralick, Michigan State reached the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season, finishing 23-9. The Spartans bring back a pair of All-Big Ten honorees in redshirt-junior guard Kennedy Blair and redshirt-senior guard Theryn Hallock. Blair, who earned second-team honors last season, was second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 ppg. Hallock was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year and captured second-team All-Big Ten honors during the 2023-24 season. She missed much of last season due to injury. 

Gonzaga (24-10 last season) returns one of the top duos in the country in Allie Turner and Lauren Whittaker. Whittaker emerged as one of the nation’s premier freshmen, averaging more than 19 points and 10 rebounds per game while earning both WCC Freshman of the Year and WCC Player of the Year honors. Turner earned All-WCC First Team recognition after another standout season, tying the program’s single-game record with nine made three-pointers while finishing first nationally in free throw percentage and ranking among the top shooters in the country from beyond the arc.

“We’re thrilled to be part of this event and to have the opportunity to play a quality opponent like Michigan State in Palm Springs,” Gonzaga women’s coach Lisa Fortier said. “Early season games against nationally respected programs provide a great challenge and help prepare our team for the season ahead.”

Chiefs announce Burgess as associate coach

The Spokane Chiefs have named Parker Burgess as associate coach ahead of the 2026-27 season. Burgess has signed a multi-year contract.

“I'm extremely excited to have the opportunity to bring in a coach like Parker," Spokane Chiefs head coach Brad Lauer said. “With the experience he brings and the championship pedigree he has, I believe he's a tremendous fit for both me and our organization.”

Burgess spent last season as the head coach of the Vancouver Giants. Prior to his time in Vancouver, the Calgary native was the head coach for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) from 2022-25. Under his leadership, Muskegon won their first ever USHL Clark Cup title in 2025 leading the team to a 38-16-0-8 record. In 2 1/2 seasons as head coach, he finished with 91 wins, 62 losses, and 12 losses in overtime for a .587 points percentage.