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Gonzaga vs Pacific: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Jacob Stevenson

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 09: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dribbles the ball against Michael Henn of the Portland Pilots defends during the first half at Chiles Center on January 09, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 09: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dribbles the ball against Michael Henn of the Portland Pilots defends during the first half at Chiles Center on January 09, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /
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The No. 1 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs are 14-0 and will host the Pacific Tigers Saturday at home. The Bulldogs are undefeated and have held the top spot all season long. They are coming off a 73-59 win at Saint Mary’s where the Zags played the worst game of their season. Let’s see if Gonzaga can play better against a tough Pacific squad.

The Bulldogs are lead by their 3-headed monster in Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Drew Timmie. Suggs who averages 14.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists is their point guard and figures to be a high pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Kispert, averaging 20.9 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, and shooting an incredible 48.9% from three is the best shooter in college basketball. The Zags also have Timmie, who might be the 2nd best big in college basketball is scoring 18.3 points per game along with 6.9 rebounds.

Two other really important players for the Zags is Joel Ayayi who contributes 12.9 points per game and leads the team in rebounding with 7.7. He had a triple-double a few games ago against Portland. Andrew Nembhard a transfer from Florida has provided really good minutes off the bench has a 4.2-1.1 assist to turnover ratio.

The Pacific Tigers are 5-2 this season and are 3rd in the WCC with a 2-1 record. The Tigers have had some Covid issues this year with having to go on two different pauses. Damon Stoudamire has done a really good job at Pacific, the Tigers won 20+ games for the first time since 2012-2013 and were finished tied for 3rd last year.

Pacific was known last year as being a tough, physical team that played a lot of guys. Last year, according to Kenpom Pacific was 2nd in the country in bench minutes playing their bench 47% of the time. But this year they are subbing less ranking 140th in bench minutes. The Tigers do a good job on the defensive class with an offensive rebound rate of 23.0 which is 30th in the country.

Pacific has three players in double figures Daniss Jenkins 15.0 points per game, Jeremiah Bailey 12.7 points per game, and Broc Finstuen 11.8 points per game.

Next. Latest WCC power rankings. dark

Gonzaga is really good they are the No. 1 team in the country and should go undefeated but they haven’t played very well 3 out of their last 4 halves. Pacific is tough and physical but they haven’t played a team as even as close as talented as Gonzaga. The Zags should win by a good amount.

Prediction: Gonzaga 86, Pacific 62