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Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys to success for the Bulldogs at San Francisco

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Zach Norvell Jr. #23 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts with teammates Josh Perkins #13 and Corey Kispert #24 during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Zach Norvell Jr. #23 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts with teammates Josh Perkins #13 and Corey Kispert #24 during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 05: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs drives to the basket against Nate Renfro #15 of the San Francisco Dons during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 88-60. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 05: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs drives to the basket against Nate Renfro #15 of the San Francisco Dons during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 88-60. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Gonzaga Basketball’s toughest conference test will be Saturday at San Francisco. Here are the biggest keys to them avoiding the upset against the Dons.

Gonzaga Basketball has somewhat faded from the national spotlight as they’ve retreated into West Coast Conference play, but they have what promises to be their toughest WCC game of the year coming up on Saturday against San Francisco.

In a role usually reserved for Saint Mary’s, the Dons are the second team in the conference that has emerged with legitimate NCAA Tournament at-large hopes.

They’re 14-2 and already beat the Gaels last week, but are still looking for a marquee win to shore up their resume. Beating the Bulldogs would certainly do that for them, and getting them at War Memorial Gymnasium is their best chance to knock them off.

Even though San Francisco is a threat, Gonzaga is still the heavy favorite. They’re a top-five team with enough talent to win the program’s first national title and are hoping to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Gonzaga is also healthy for the first time all season. Star big man Killian Tillie and transfer point guard Geno Crandall made their returns in Saturday’s win over Santa Clara, giving them their full repertoire of weapons to utilize.

But, in order for them to get that top seed, they can’t afford a loss to the Dons. Here are the three biggest keys to the game for the Zags.