The Gonzaga Bulldogs take on the San Francisco Dons in an important WCC matchup. If the Dons can pull the upset, it will go a long way in helping the Dons get in the NCAA tournament.
The Bulldogs check into the game No. 1 in the county and number on Kenpom with a record. They are led by superstar freshman Chet Holmgren who may be the 1st pick in the 2022 NBA draft; he averages 14.4 ppg ,9.6 rpg, and 3.4 blocks. The 7-footer can not only score inside but is a tremendous shot blocker and can stretch the defense out shooting 44.6 percent from three.
Drew Timme is a returning All-American. His numbers are very similar to last season, but he has incredible footwork and may be the best post scorer in the county.
A huge reason why Gonzaga has the number 2 offense in the country according to Kenpom is the play of guard Andrew Nembhard. Nembhard, who took a backseat to superstar Jalen Suggs, is terrific in ball screens and has had 36 assists to 6 turnovers in his last five games.
Coach Todd Golden has done a very good job since taking over for Kyle Smith at San Francisco. Currently, the Dons are a bubble team and a win against Gonzaga would be huge in order to get them to the NCAA Tournament. The Dons check-in as the number 24 team in Kenpom.
They are led by Jamarre Bouyea who is one of the best players in the conference. The senior is averaging 17.2 points per game to go along with shooting 39.5 percent from three. Not only can he shoot from three but he’s very quick and does a good job getting to the rim.
Filling out the backcourt is another quick guard in Khalil Shabazz. The Seattle native who started his career at Central Washington University is another quick guard and can get hot from three.
Yauhen Massalski leads the front court. The San Diego transfer has been a great addition for them averaging a near double-double with 13.9 points and 9.5 boards
It will be a tall task but for the Dons to win Bouyea and Shabazz are going to have to play very well and keep them in it from deep. Against the Zags the 1st time around San Francisco did a great job packing the paint and was able to hang in there the majority of the game.
Gonzaga hasn’t shot the ball well from three the last two games and that has to happen for San Francisco to pull off the upset.
Prediction: Gonzaga 85, San Francisco 77