Santa Clara Basketball: 2019-20 keys for home game against Gonzaga

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Head coach Herb Sendek of the Santa Clara Broncos reacts during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 06: Santa Clara Broncos cheerleaders (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

3. The Broncos have to hit their threes

Santa Clara shot only 12.0% (3 for 25) from beyond the arc when the teams met in Spokane. The Broncos must be way better Thursday at Leavey Center. Santa Clara is #105 in three-point field goal percentage at 34.6% and will have to get hot against the Zags.

Three-point shooting can trigger upsets. Sophomore guard Trey Wertz is leading the Broncos averaging 12.8 ppg and 3.7 apg. He also leads the team going 40 for 91 (44.0%) from beyond the arc. In the earlier game against the Bulldogs, he only went 1 for 4 on three-pointers in 23 minutes of playing time. He will need to hit the treys early and often for the Broncos to have a chance.

Fellow sophomore Keshawn Justice will also have to join in. He shot 0 for 5 on three-pointers in Spokane.

Perimeter defense has been Gonzaga’s weakness when opponents have the basketball. The Zags are ranked #131 while allowing opponents to shoot 32.2% from beyond the arc, which is not horrible. The Bulldogs have been improving in that department throughout conference play.

Next. National Power Rankings. dark

The Broncos will be relying heavily on the home-court advantage in this one. Santa Clara must have their shooters on the mark early in the friendly confines of Leavey Center. Without Caruso, 6’9 junior Josip Vrankic and 6’10 freshman Jaden Bediako are going to have to match up inside against Petrusev and Tillie. The Zags are going to be heavy favorites. If the Broncos can challenge the visitors for a full 40 minutes, coach Herb Sendek should be pleased.