This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Denver

So, this is kind of cool now, two NBA-caliber big men going at it in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in an arena at the foot of the Rockies. Two big men with big plans, from faraway places, speaking different native tongues, along with their English, sophomores leading their school teams before they, themselves, move on to those brighter lights and bigger paychecks, brought together on the court because … where the heck else would they meet up?

Utah's Jakob Poeltl versus Gonzaga's Domantas Sabonis.

One from Vienna, Austria, and the other from Kaunas, Lithuania, though, technically, he was born in Portland, while his dad was playing for the Trail Blazers.

One a 7-foot center and the other a 6-11 forward/center.

One the 20-year-old son of a national volleyball player and the other the 19-year-old son of Arvydas, one of the greatest centers in the history of James Naismith's game, albe-most-of-it some 6,000 miles removed.

One leading his team in scoring, with a shooting percentage of 65 percent, and rebounding, averaging 17.6 points and 9.2 boards and 1.6 blocks, and the other second on his team in scoring (17.5 points), with a field-goal percentage of 61 percent, and first in rebounding (11.7) and an overall inescapable defensive presence.

Yeah, this is going to be good.

Yes, jawohl and taip … in any language.

In the Utes' 80-69 win over Fresno State on Thursday night, Poeltl had 16 points, 18 rebounds and four assists. Shortly thereafter, in Gonzaga's 68-52 win over Seton Hall, Sabonis had 21 points, 16 rebounds and four assists.

Weird, huh?

Great weird.

Saturday will provide, then, a most likely memorable game in the Midwest Region between two proud American basketball schools, with a subset showdown shaded with international flavor and remarkable individual potential.

Sabonis said he's battled Poeltl in earlier matches in distant gyms.

"I'm going to take it like another game, any game," he said. "He's a great player. He's very talented. I played against him before. I know he's very good and I'm going to have to work a lot."

Said Poeltl about the potential matchup: "I'll be happy to take the challenge."

Though it is the good giggles of fate that brought them together here, both big men were purposeful in putting themselves in the position to have it happen, to play, again, in the NCAA Tournament.

Sabonis played for the Spanish team Unicaja Malaga, but turned down a pro contract so he would be eligible for college ball. He signed with Gonzaga prior to last season, after which he helped lead the Bulldogs to March Madness' Elite Eight before losing to eventual champion Duke. Sabonis has that in common with Poeltl, who helped lead Utah a year ago to the Sweet 16, where the Utes lost to that same Duke team. While he could have entered the NBA Draft, Sabonis, who subsequently became the youngest player ever to make the Lithuanian national team, decided to return to Spokane for his sophomore season.

And here he is.

Poeltl's now-familiar chronology mirrors some of the same stuff: playing in Europe before arriving at Utah, making an impact in his freshman year, and having a chance to go pro as a highly thought of NBA prospect, but choosing instead to return for another season and another run in the tournament.

Pressure and opportunity and financial independence may soon make it darn near impossible for Poeltl — and Sabonis — to turn away from the call of the best basketball league in the world, as it continues to bat its eyes and beckon. But for the moment, both will relish what is happening to them and their teams, chances for which they've already sacrificed.

"I know this might be my last tournament," Poeltl said. "So I'm just going to try and enjoy every second, try and make the biggest run possible, play as many games as possible. If it should be my last season here, then I want to make sure that I've enjoyed everything."

Including beating the other big guy in the other uniform, following a similar path from diverse places to whatever it is that comes next.

GORDON MONSON hosts "The Big Show" with Spence Checketts weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 97.5 FM and 1280 AM The Zone. Twitter: @GordonMonson.