Gonzaga Basketball: 5 teams that can defeat the Bulldogs in 2020-21

Gonzaga Basketball: 5 teams that can defeat the Bulldogs this 2020-21 season

Jan 7, 2021; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) and Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) celebrate a basket and foul during a game against the Brigham Young Cougars in the second half of a WCC menÕs basketball game at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 86-69. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

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Alabama James Rojas Jaden Shackelford (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Alabama Crimson Tide (16-5, 10-1)

In the regular season, we saw an elite offensive team (Iowa) unable to keep up with Gonzaga. We also saw an elite defensive team (Virginia) unable to stop them from scoring. And when factoring in the high number of possessions in which the Bulldogs play, there has to be a team who can play at a fast pace while still being a quality defense.

The one team besides Baylor who fits that description is Alabama. They’ve been a top-10 team in the past month despite a pair of recent close losses and still dealing with various injuries throughout the roster, including now having starting center Jordan Bruner. When fully healthy though, the Crimson Tide has an eight-man rotation that can cause Gonzaga fits on both ends.

On offense, Alabama has four double-digit scorers, led by sophomore Jaden Shackelford at 13.7 ppg. Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly has looked solid at his new home, while seniors John Petty and Herb Jones also are putting up double figures, with Petty as one of the best three-point shooters in the country.

If freshman guard Joshua Primo can be more consistent offensively, then the Tide’s offense will become lethal. Even without a proven big man scorer inside, this offensive in transition is hard to stop.

And speaking of the senior duo, Petty and Jones would have an even bigger impact on the defensive end against Gonzaga. Both can guard 1-5 if need be and has the size and length to be very disruptive. They’re similar to the Bulldogs where the high number of possessions undervalues how good the team’s defense is. According to Kenpom, the Tide is No. 1 on defense right now and that’s still without Bruner on the court. He’ll be back by the SEC Tournament and would be the primary defender for Timme inside.

If the game becomes a shootout, Alabama would be comfortable with the score in the 90s. They also average 30 attempts from deep per game, and Gonzaga tends to give up some shots from three-point range. And they’re good enough defensively to frustrate the Bulldogs to make it a close game. And if Petty gets hot from deep… look out.