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Iowa Basketball: 3 keys for Hawkeyes to beat No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs

By Carter Landis

IOWA CITY, IOWA- DECEMBER 08: Head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes during a timeout in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, on December 8, 2020 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- DECEMBER 08: Head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes during a timeout in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, on December 8, 2020 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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Nov 27, 2020; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) drives to the basket against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2020; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) drives to the basket against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Stopping Gonzaga’s electrifying backcourt is priority No. 1

Jalen Suggs is off to an incredibly hot start to his expectedly brief college career. He and Andrew Nembhard have teamed up to create one of the most dynamic guard combos in the nation. Averaging roughly 13 points and 6 assists, this Bulldogs team goes where he goes. He is the lead dog and the engine behind their team.

After a scary slip up against West Virginia that looked like it was going to end his season, Suggs came back in the game and gave the team a much-needed spark to get past an always tough Mountaineers team. Suggs is an electrifying athlete and is one of the most poised freshman guards we’ve seen in a long time.

Nembhard, the Florida transfer, has provided a new spark to this Gonzaga team. As a junior, when Suggs went down with an injury, he stepped up as a leader and filled in that role perfectly, helping Gonzaga get a lead and eventually a victory. If one guy isn’t having a good game, the other probably is.

Iowa is not a team that is known for playing defense under Fran McCaffery. His backcourt, while talented, features Jordan Bohannon and Joe Wieskamp, who are not exceptional athletes known for their ability to defend. It’s going to be a tall task, but the Hawkeyes will need them to slow down Suggs and Ayayi in order to have a chance at winning the game.

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