Oregon and Gonzaga Set for Rare Showdown in Portland - A Matchup Years in the Making
When two of the most respected coaches in college basketball sit down for a beer at the Final Four, chances are something interesting is going to come out of it. That’s exactly what happened last spring when Oregon’s Dana Altman and Gonzaga’s Mark Few crossed paths. The two coaching veterans, both still stinging from early exits in March Madness, shared more than stories - they made a pact.
Now, that agreement comes to life in the form of a long-awaited neutral-site series between Oregon and Gonzaga, two of the Pacific Northwest’s most consistently successful programs. The first game tips off this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Moda Center in Portland, promoted as the Northwest Elite Showdown. A second game is already on the books for a future date in Seattle.
But this isn’t just a high-profile nonconference clash. It’s a tribute - a nod to longtime booster Pat Kilkenny, whose influence has left a lasting mark on both programs.
“I think Mark felt that he wanted to play the game for Pat, and I know I did,” Altman said. “That was really what made sure the game happened. But getting the series in Portland and then in Seattle is good for both programs.”
A Rare Meeting Between Northwest Powerhouses
Despite their geographical proximity and national relevance, Oregon and Gonzaga haven’t faced off in a scheduled nonconference game in more than four decades. Sure, they’ve met in early season tournaments - once in Hawaii in 1999, and again in the Bahamas in 2019 - splitting those matchups.
But this is different. This is intentional.
And it’s overdue.
Few, who’s guided Gonzaga to 25 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Fours, isn’t exactly jumping at the chance to face the Ducks - but he respects the challenge.
“First of all, you have so much respect for Oregon and you know what a tough out they are,” Few said. “You're not exactly looking forward to playing them. But I think Dana and I got together and just said, ‘What do you think about this?’”
What emerged is not just a compelling matchup - it’s a meeting of two of the most accomplished coaches in the game today.
Altman vs. Few: Two Coaching Giants Collide
Mark Few is in his 26th season at the helm of Gonzaga, and his résumé speaks volumes: 753 career wins, seventh-most among active Division I coaches, and only 153 losses. The Bulldogs haven’t missed the NCAA Tournament since he took over. Add in a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics as a Team USA assistant, and you’ve got a coach who’s done just about everything.
Altman, now in his 15th season at Oregon, has built a powerhouse of his own. He ranks fifth among active Division I coaches with 786 career wins and has led the Ducks to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2017. His streak of 15 straight 20-win seasons since arriving in Eugene is a testament to his consistency and adaptability.
Few isn’t shy about his admiration for Altman’s work.
“I have massive, incredible respect for the job Dana's done at Oregon,” Few said. “Because I think I have a really, really deep understanding of what it was like down there.”
Altman returned the praise.
“The longevity, the consistency is really impressive,” he said of Few. “A lot of teams can be good one or two years, three years, but to have a run like he's had - it takes great support from the university, a great fan base, a great coaching staff.
He's got really good assistants. But the consistency they’ve shown is something I admire.”
Homecoming Vibes for Mark Few
For Few, this game is more than just a marquee matchup - it’s a homecoming. He grew up in Creswell, Oregon, just a short drive from Eugene, where his father still serves as a pastor. Few graduated from the University of Oregon in 1987 and cut his coaching teeth in the state, first at Creswell High School, then as an assistant at Sheldon High, all while attending Oregon.
His connection to the Ducks runs deep. He grew up idolizing the “Kamikaze Kids” teams of the 1970s, led by coach Dick Harter and stars like Ron Lee and Greg Ballard. Watching games at McArthur Court - especially when UCLA came to town - left a lasting impression.
“Just growing up, man, (McArthur Court) was just crazy and rocking,” Few recalled. “At that time, they didn't televise the games live.
To watch it you had to stay up late at night. There was no ESPN.
So, Mom and Dad let me stay up late, throw a sleep bag downstairs in front of the TV and watch those games, and it was awesome.”
There was even a time when Kilkenny tried to bring Few back to Eugene to coach the Ducks. He declined, and Oregon eventually hired Altman - a move that’s worked out just fine for both parties.
“I think it's the greatest run - I mean, I know it's the greatest run - in the history of the program,” Few said of Altman’s tenure. “I think it might have been lost with all the success of the football program.”
Can Oregon Pull the Upset?
On paper, Gonzaga comes in as the favorite. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 7 in the country and have just one loss - to top-ranked Michigan. They’re deep, talented, and disciplined, as you’d expect from a Few-coached team.
But Oregon might be catching its stride at the right time.
After dropping five straight, the Ducks have bounced back with dominant wins over UC Davis and Portland, winning by an average of 33.5 points. During that stretch, they’ve shot a scorching 54.4% from the field (68-of-125) and 42.6% from beyond the arc (23-of-54), while dishing out 55 assists in just two games.
Altman knows his team will need more than hot shooting to take down the Bulldogs.
“They're well-coached, they're really talented, they're really deep,” he said. “We're going to have to play our A-plus game.
We have to handle the ball and not give them second shots. They're good enough on their first possession - they don't need a second one.
So we'll have to play our tails off.”
How to Watch the Game
- TV: No broadcast television
- Streaming: Peacock
- Radio: KUGN (590 AM, 98.1 FM), KUJZ (95.3 FM), KFXX (1080 AM in Portland), KYKN (1430 AM in Salem), SiriusXM Channel 381
Oregon’s Upcoming Schedule
- Dec. 21 - vs. Gonzaga, 3 p.m.
(Moda Center, Portland)
- Dec. 28 - vs.
Omaha, 5 p.m.
- Jan. 2 - at Maryland, 4:30 p.m.
- Jan. 5 - at Rutgers, 4 p.m.
- Jan. 8 - vs.
Ohio State, 7:30 p.m.
This weekend’s game isn’t just a showcase of talent - it’s a celebration of legacy, loyalty, and the kind of mutual respect that makes college basketball special. Two coaching titans, two proud programs, and one long-overdue matchup. Portland’s getting a good one.