GAME NOTES: The Gonzaga Bulldogs get their shot at the top team in the land this weekend, as they make the trip east to take on the Memphis Tigers in an intriguing non-conference battle at FedExForum. Mark Few's team is a perfect 4-0 in West Coast Conference play and brings a six-game win streak into this contest. The Bulldogs extended the win streak with Monday's 72-64 victory over San Francisco. Memphis is perched atop the national polls for just the second time in school history. The Tigers made their first defense of that ranking on Wednesday, topping Tulsa on the road, 56-41. The victory moved the Tigers to 18-0 on the season and 5-0 in Conference USA play. Memphis is putting other win streaks on the line in this contest as well, as the Tigers have won 37 straight regular season affairs and a whopping 42 straight games at home. This is just the fourth all-time meeting between these two teams on the hardwood. Gonzaga won the initial matchup, but the Tigers have won the last two, including a thrilling 78-77 overtime affair last year in Spokane.

The Bulldogs are definitely capable of winning a shootout with any team in the country. Gonzaga is averaging a steady 75.5 ppg, while shooting a healthy .476 from the floor. The team has great balance in its offensive attack. Guard Matt Bouldin has been the most consistent producer, averaging 14.7 ppg, thanks to a .421 clip from behind the arc. He is joined in the backcourt by savvy point guard Jeremy Pargo, who can both distribute (6.1 apg) and create his own opportunities (10.6 ppg). Forwards Josh Heytvelt (11.9 ppg) and Austin Daye (11.1 ppg) provide frontcourt support. Daye has done the majority of his damage off the bench. The Bulldogs spoiled San Fran head coach Eddie Sutton's bid at career win number 800, with a solid performance in Spokane earlier in the week. Freshman Steven Gray led the Bulldogs in scoring with 16 points. Daye and Bouldin added 10 points apiece. The Zags shot a bland .431 from the floor in the game, but outscored San Francisco in the paint, 32-20.

The Tigers have the ability to win games at either end of the floor and are enjoying a rather robust +22.2 scoring margin. The team is putting up 80.9 ppg, while allowing just 58.7, on a mere .368 shooting. If there is an Achilles' heel on this team it is probably at the free-throw line, as Memphis is converting just 58.5 percent from the charity stripe. It starts with the terrific backcourt duo of All-American candidate Chris Douglas-Roberts and freshman Derrick Rose. Douglas-Roberts is shooting an impressive .536 from the floor, including an unconscious .522 from behind the arc. The result is a team- high 16.6 ppg. Rose has played like a seasoned veteran, showing great versatility as both a scorer (14.1 ppg) and court general (4.2 apg). Balance down low comes in the form of bangers Robert Dozier (10.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Joey Dorsey (7.4 ppg, team-high 10.4 rpg). The Tigers held Tulsa to a mere .309 shooting performance earlier this week and beat up the Golden Hurricane on the boards, 47-31. Dorsey only netted two points, but owned the glass at both ends, with a whopping 19 rebounds, including seven at the offensive end. Douglas- Roberts hit 9-of-15 from the floor to lead the team with 20 points. Rose poured in 14, as did Shawn Taggart in 19 minutes of work off the bench.

This should be another tough matchup between a pair of top-notch programs. The Bulldogs certainly have the ability to win tough road games, but getting it done at Memphis may be a little out of reach at this point in the season. The Forum should be jumping, as this is the first time in school history that Memphis will host a game as the number one team in the country.