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Gonzaga Basketball: Three keys for the Zags’ trip to Creighton

By Brayley Crowe

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 21: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs holds up the tournament MVP trophy after the 2018 Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 21: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs holds up the tournament MVP trophy after the 2018 Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WA – NOVEMBER 26: Fans for  Gonzaga basketball cheer. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA – NOVEMBER 26: Fans for  Gonzaga basketball cheer. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

After a strong performance at the Maui Invitational, Gonzaga basketball is back in action to take on an up-and-coming Creighton team on the road.

Gonzaga basketball passed their first, and possibly biggest test of the season, as they defeated Duke last week to win the Maui Invitational. However, with another few upcoming marquee matchups on the Bulldogs’ schedule, Mark Few’s team has little room to relax. On Dec. 1, Gonzaga will travel to Omaha, Nebraska to take on Creighton.

The Zags offense has been tremendous through its first seven games this season, averaging 97.7 ppg, which is No. 3 in the nation. The Bulldogs have eclipsed 100 points three times this season and the fewest points they have put up is 84 against Illinois. Rui Hachimura, whose All-American claims have climbed this season, has led the way, leading the team with 21.9 ppg. However, the Japanese-born phenom has not been the only high-scorer for the Zags, as four other players are averaging more than 10 ppg, with another two averaging at least 9.

While the offense has certainly been the talking point of this squad, the defensive capabilities are something to really watch. Brandon Clarke, the Zags’ graduate-transfer center, has asserted his dominance defensively with 29 blocks, the most in the country, including six against Duke. Hachimura and freshman Filip Petrusev have gathered in the fun as well, with each averaging 0.7 bpg. But it’s not just the frontcourt that has been key defensively for Gonzaga. Josh Perkins is averaging 1.7 spg, Zach Norvell Jr. is at 1.6 spg and Geno Crandall, who is out four to six weeks with a hand injury, is at 1.3 spg. Clarke also averages 1 spg, just for good measure.

The Zags certainly have their hands full in their meeting with Creighton, as the BlueJays are 6-1 on the season with a win over then No. 16 Clemson and their lone loss to the No. 1 team in the debut poll of the new NET rankings, Ohio State. Sophomore Ty-Shon Alexander leads the team with 19.2 ppg and had a phenomenal 36-point performance against the Tigers, nailing seven of his 12 3-point attempts. This meeting will be the second leg of the Bulldogs’ and Bluejays’ home-and-home, with Gonzaga winning last year’s meeting 91-74 in Spokane.

One of the biggest keys for a Bulldogs’ win will be feeding the ball to the post. If they can do this and a few other things, the Zags may win their eighth straight.

Matchup: Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-0) at Creighton Bluejays (6-1)

Date and time: Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. ET

TV Schedule: Fox

Location: CHI Health Center, Omaha, NE