The Gonzaga Bulldogs are enjoying quite a run, going 7-0 heading into their highly-anticipated matchup against fellow Western basketball power Arizona. The Wildcats, in the meantime, are on their own 7-0 streak. Which team leaves with a perfect record intact? Read on as we give you everything you’ll need to know on this exciting game to come.
Can’t wait to get your hands on some thrilling college basketball games? Check out our preview for Friday night’s Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats.
The No. 9 Bulldogs were in for a scare on Tuesday night as they trailed unranked Southeastern Louisiana 33-32 at halftime. But they went into overdrive in the second half opening with a 30-4 run before cruising to a comfortable 76-57 win. The Bulldogs will need to replicate the same intensity they played in the second half of Tuesday’s game when they meet No. 3 Arizona.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Forward Kyle Wiltjer led the team with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting Tuesday night, while center Przemek Karnowski nabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Controlling the boards will be crucial for Gonzaga as they don’t want to give the dangerous Wildcats second-chance opportunities. The Zags average 5.5 more rebounds per game than Arizona in season averages.
Gonzaga will be facing one of, if not the best frontcourt in the nation in Arizona, but their own bigs are talented in their own right and are capable of holding their own. Wiltjer averages a team-high 16 points while 6-10 freshman Domantas Sabonis isn’t too far behind with 12.6.
The Zags can also rely on some dynamic backcourt play from guard Kevin Pangos. The senior guard has averaged 5.9 assists this season and has shot .462 from three-point line. Ranking third in the nation in assists (19.9 per game), the Bulldogs should be able to find the open man to spread out their offense across the court.
The Bulldogs are yet to play a road game this season. They were 2-4 SU/ATS in their last six road games last season.
Betting on the Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats rolled over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs 91-65 Tuesday night on the strength of forward Stanley Johnson and guard Gabe York each scoring 18 points. Johnson also took a team-high eight boards as well as went 3-for-4 from downtown.
The Wildcats face a meaner, stronger set of Bulldogs against Gonzaga, who are capable of outhustling them inside the paint. Aside from scoring, Johnson has also been a valuable presence in the Wildcats’ frontcourt, nabbing a team-high eight boards against Gardner-Webb. He’ll be joined by forward Brandon Ashley and center Kaleb Tarczewski, who also had a big day on the boards Tuesday night taking eight and seven rebounds respectively.
Arizona may want to test their three-point shooting after going .588 from downtown Tuesday night. The Wildcats may enjoy some production from the three-point line as Gonzaga allowed opponents to shoot .333 from downtown over their last two games. Threatening with their outside shot should also open up lanes for the Wildcats to attack the basket with their frontcourt trio of Johnson, Ashley and Tarczewski.
The Wildcats have won a nation-best 34 straight regular-season non-conference home games since Gonzaga defeated them on December 2011.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bulldogs steal a win from Arizona. Create a betting account now and cash in on the best college basketball action rocking the nation.
