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Gonzaga Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Bulldogs home battle with Santa Clara

By Tristan Freeman

TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Joel Ayayi #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs handles the ball in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Joel Ayayi #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs handles the ball in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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Gonzaga Basketball
SPOKANE, WA – JANUARY 05: Josh Perkins #13 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes to the basket against Trey Wertz #1 of the Santa Clara Broncos (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

Gonzaga Basketball takes on a tougher than usual Santa Clara squad this Thursday. What are the keys for the Bulldogs to prevail?

After a rough opening week where they had unexpected close wins over Portland and Pepperdine, Gonzaga Basketball 18-1 (4-0) had an easier past couple of games. The Bulldogs dominated both San Diego and Loyola Marymount by an average of 34.5 points in margin of victory. Five players scored in double figures in the win over the Lions, including freshman Drew Timme with a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds).

Gonzaga has a big matchup on Saturday against BYU, a team that has given the Bulldogs the most trouble since coming to the WCC nearly a decade ago. They’ve won three of the last five contests in Spokane and are having one of their best seasons since the Jimmer Fredette era.

Hold on a second.

That’s not the next game for Gonzaga. It’s easy to overlook the rest of the WCC when neither Saint Mary’s or BYU are on the schedule but this season is a clear exception. Especially Santa Clara 15-3 (2-1), who is coming off a massive victory on the road over Saint Mary’s. The Broncos won on a last-second shot to beat the Gaels, 67-66. Josip Vrankic led the team with 22 points and 10 rebounds, with Donovan Mitchell chipping in with 16 points off the bench.

Before the win, Santa Clara’s schedule was one of the softest in the country in terms of strength of schedule. So folks weren’t sold on Herb Sandek’s squad coming into the game. But beating a good Gaels team in Moraga showed that this is a formidable WCC foe that Gonzaga needs to pay attention to.

Not overlooking the Broncos first off is a big key for the Bulldogs. For the on the court perspective, here are three other aspects for the favorites in order to get the win.