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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Jacob Stevenson

Feb 8, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates with his teammates after their win against the Brigham Young Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates with his teammates after their win against the Brigham Young Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gonzaga looks to remain unbeaten on the season as they take on WCC rival Saint Mary’s. Can the Gaels pull off the major upset?

TV schedule: Thursday, February 18, 9:00 pm ET. ESPN

Arena: McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington

The (20-0) (11-0) Gonzaga Bulldogs are coming off a blowout of San Francisco where the Zags played one of their best games of the year. Gonzaga had five players in double figures and shot 61 percent as a team. The Zags were also incredible on the defensive end allowing the Dons to shoot 35 percent from the field and 21.2 percent from three.

Gonzaga is led by Drew Timmie, Jalen Suggs, and Corey Kispert. Kispert, who was incredible against San Francisco scoring 28 points on 11-12 shooting and pulling down 10 boards. Suggs the likely top 5 2021 NBA draft pick has been incredible this year averaging 14.2 points 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Kispert who is the Zags 2nd leading scorer at 19.2 points per game is in a little slump. He’s shot under 50 percent from the field the last four games. He still is shooting a tremendous 55.8/47.9/89.1.

Gonzaga is the Number 1 team in Kenpom and is one of the best teams in the history of Kenpom’s database. The Zags have a top 5 defense to go along with the No. 2 ranked offense. They are leading the country in a two-point percentage and effective field goal percentage.

Saint Mary’s comes into the game (11-6) overall and a (2-4) league record. They are back from their Covid-19 absence and lost a close game to Pepperdine 60-58.

After losing Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts to graduation and the NBA draft you expected the Gaels to have a down year. Tommy Kuhse has been really good this year averaging 14.1 points and 5.4 assists per game. Matthias Tass has been solid for them scoring 10.7 points and pulling down 5.1 boards. Alex Ducas missed the previous Gonzaga game due to injury is back for them. He’s been a good contributor 10.0 points per game and 5.3 rebounds.

The Gaels in the past have been known as a very good three-point shooting team but after being 5th in three-point percentage last year they are down to 266th.

Next. 5 teams that can beat Gonzaga this season. dark

In the last matchup, Gonzaga played their 2nd worse game of the year and still won by 14 points. Saint Mary’s is gonna try to slow the game down and pack the paint in defensively. If they can do that, they might be able to hang around for a little bit. But I think Gonzaga is too athletic and should run away with it.

Prediction: Gonzaga 82, Saint Mary’s 61