Northwest Notes May 22, 2026

JC big man Diao latest signee with Idaho men's basketball

MOSCOW — Idaho men’s basketball added inside size this week by securing the commitment of 6-foot-10 forward Mo Diao, who played the last two seasons at the junior college level. 

“We’re really excited about the addition of Mo,” Idaho coach Alex Pribble said. “He has been the top rim protector in junior college basketball the past two years, and he will bring an immediate interior presence to help anchor our defense.”

During his 2025-26 campaign at McCook (Neb.) Community College, Diao started 25 games for the Indians, pulling down a team-high 7.3 rebounds a night in addition to scoring 11.4 points. The incoming junior posted six double-doubles last season. 

As a freshman at North Platte (Neb.) Community College, he averaged 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds, while shooting 52.6% from the field to help the Knights win 19 games. While playing along fellow Idaho spring signee Brady Kennison, Diao posted nine double-doubles, and was one of the top-50 rebounders in the nation. 

The native of Dakar, Senegal is UI’s 11th spring signee, and joins Kennison as the second junior college addition to a nearly complete Vandal roster. 

Zags to return to Players Era tourney in Las Vegas

Gonzaga men’s basketball faces Kansas State in the opening round of the Players Era 16 bracket on Nov. 24, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

The Zags are guaranteed three games at the tournament, with a possible fourth game being the championship on Nov. 28.

Players Era and ESPN announced the brackets for the 2026 Players Era tournaments, with the Players Era 8 taking place Nov. 17-19, at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and the Players Era 16 Championship set for Nov. 24-28, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and Michelob Ultra Arena.

The Players Era 16 will culminate with a stand-alone championship game played Nov. 28 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. All 37 games across the two tournaments will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks as part of a new multi-year broadcast agreement between Players Era and ESPN.

Gonzaga and Kansas State will meet for the fifth time, but the first since 2013. The Wildcats have won three of the four previous meetings, including the latest, 72-62, at the Wichita Wildcat Classic on Dec. 21, 2013. In 2012, the Bulldogs beat KSU, 68-52, in the Battle in Seattle.

The Wildcats will be under first-year head coach Casey Alexander. 

Gonzaga’s second opponent at the 2026 Players Era will be either Alabama or Baylor on Nov. 26. The Zags opened last year’s Players Era tournament with a 95-85 win over No. 8 Alabama. GU then beat Maryland, before falling to No. 7 Michigan in the championship game.

The Players Era 16 will be divided into two eight-team brackets with the teams emerging from each side meeting for the championship game Nov. 28.

One bracket will feature four opening round matchups on Nov. 24, including Tennessee against Maryland, San Diego State vs. Iowa State, St. John’s facing Oregon, and Louisville taking on Texas Tech. In first round action in the other the bracket, Gonzaga will face Kansas State, Baylor will take on Alabama, Michigan will play Creighton, and TCU will play Miami (Fla.).

Following an off day on Nov. 25, tournament play will resume on Thanksgiving Day with four semifinal and four consolation games. The bracket championships and third, fifth and seventh-place matchups will take place Nov. 27, and the Players Era 16 Championship Game will be on Nov. 28, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Additional information about ticket on-sale dates and broadcast networks will be announced soon.

Roach signs with Gonzaga women's basketball

Gonzaga women's basketball coach Lisa Fortier announced the addition of Emmy Roach, a transfer from Rider University, to the Bulldogs' roster. 

Roach will join Gonzaga with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Roach arrives in Spokane after two years with Rider, appearing in 56 career games with 16 starts. This past season, she played in 28 contests and earned 15 starts while averaging 6.6 points and ranking third on the team with 4.8 rebounds per game. She also led Rider and finished sixth in the MAAC at 1.0 blocks per game. 

As a freshman, Roach appeared in 28 games and contributed 2.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. 

Prior to her collegiate career, Roach competed for the Eastern Mavericks in the NBL1 and represented South Australia at the national level. She captained the 2024 South Australia State Team to a national silver medal.