Zags Face BYU On 'National Gonzaga Day' - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

As if playing BYU in front of a packed house at The Kennel wasn't enough to get the crowd amped up, it is also National Gonzaga Day. Zags all across the country will be celebrating the school's 125th birthday – and hopefully a win against the Cougars from Provo.

Gonzaga will most certainly have their hands full against a BYU team that is 5-1 in the West Coast Conference and right behind the Zags in the standings. Much of the defensive focus will be on senior Brandon Davies, who scored 23 points at The Kennel last year.

"He's a machine," said Gonzaga senior Elias Harris. "He works really hard. He plays with high energy, great effort, so I'm looking forward to that battle."

"He plays with a tremendous amount of freedom," added coach Mark Few. "He can shoot the ball at any time from anywhere. And they really got a lot of offensive firepower on the inside with Davies."

"He's competitive, he comes out and gives it all every time we play him," said Sam Dower. "He competes at the highest level and we have to try to match it and even exceed his competitiveness, his energy, his effort for us to be successful against him."

Aside the basketball game, Gonzaga alum everywhere will be celebrating and supporting the university's mission of education. There are 30 alumni chapters across the country, plus chapters in Alberta, Canada and Tokyo too. President Thayne McCulloh is set to deliver some good news about the school's future during a special halftime program.