Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Keys for Bulldogs to beat BYU on senior night

By Brayley Crowe

SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 09: Fans for the Gonzaga Bulldogs cheer for their team against the Saint Mary's Gaels at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 9, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Saint Mary's 94-46. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 09: Fans for the Gonzaga Bulldogs cheer for their team against the Saint Mary's Gaels at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 9, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Saint Mary's 94-46. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Gonzaga has roared through the West Coast Conference play with ease this season, sitting at 12-0 and first in the conference. With four games remaining for the Zags, a win Saturday could all but seal another regular season title.

Three weeks ago, Gonzaga (25-2) began its toughest stretch of conference play beginning with a trip to Provo, Utah to take on the BYU Cougars. In impressive fashion, the Bulldogs rolled through the Cougars 93-63, sparking its four victories over the next four strongest WCC teams. In all, Gonzaga would defeat BYU, San Diego, San Francisco and Saint Mary’s by a combined 124 points.

With such a thrashing win just a few weeks ago at the chaotic Marriott Center, its hard to imagine Gonzaga will struggle with BYU in a home stand. However, BYU has spoiled a succesful season for a highly-ranked Gonzaga team before, in Spokane, Washington. Two years ago, in the final game of the regular season, the Cougars walked into the McCarthey Athletic Center, knocked off the No. 1 Bulldogs and handed Mark Few’s squad its first, and only until the National Championship, loss of the season. Now, the Zags are No. 2 and will be looking to ensure history does not repeat itself.

Sitting at 10-4 in conference, BYU (19-11) is currently second in the WCC. The Cougars had won five straight games since the 30-point dismantling by the Bulldogs before losing at home to San Francisco after leading by 14 points in the second half. The loss clinched the WCC Regular season title for Gonzaga.

As I mentioned in the last preview for these two teams, one of the most important victories for a Bulldog victory will be the battle of two of the best offensive players in the WCC between Rui Hachimura and Yoeli Childs. The former had the advantage in the first meeting and if that is the case again come Saturday, the Bulldogs should have a great chance of completing the sweep of the Cougars.