Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys for Bulldogs beating Baylor in 1-vs-2 contest

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 27: Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate after defeating Auburn Tigers during the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on November 27, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

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Jalen Suggs Gonzaga Basketball Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Have a plan with Jalen Suggs … and stick to it

One of the most harrowing moments of the college basketball season came on Wednesday night when it appeared Jalen Suggs started to grab for his Achilles on a non-contact play. He struggled to get to the bench and then the tunnel, with fans’ worst fears seemingly being realized by the minute.

And then … he was fine? Suggs was seen testing himself in the tunnel and eventually returned to the game in the second half. Few described the injury after the game as a tweaked ankle and not anything more serious.

Still, Suggs didn’t look like the same player as he hobbled around the court for the last 15:53 of the game. While the contest was close, it was a surprise to see Few play his star freshman so much after an injury scare, especially when he didn’t look particularly effective throughout the half. He didn’t score for the rest of the game and attempted just one field goal.

As of Thursday evening, it appears Suggs is on track to take the court against Baylor on Saturday. If it really was just a tweak of his left ankle, there’s a possibility Suggs will be the same dynamo that dropped 24 points and eight assists on Kansas during his first collegiate game.

If he’s not going to be that player, Andrew Nembhard is more than ready to play the role of primary playmaker for Gonzaga. Either way, consistency will be the key for the Bulldogs. They should have a plan on what they want to do with Suggs before the game and stick to it, unless there’s a new development with his health.