#19 Gonzaga (10-4, 1-0) opens up West Coast Convention play with 10 NBA scouts in attendance for the matchup at Pepperdine (6-9, 0-2) and in basic vogue, bought off to yet one more sluggish begin out the gates whereas persevering with to have hassle holding onto somewhat giant leads. Somebody must mild a fireplace within the bellies of those guys with the likes of Washington State, Oregon State, Santa Clara, Saint Mary’s, and USF on the horizon.
The Zags had a 20 level lead dwindle down to simply two factors midway via the second half. Closing video games out is simply one thing that appears like should be handled for everything of this season resulting from lack of power for somewhat lengthy stretches and plenty of missed bunnies/wide-open three-point makes an attempt. The execution and appears are there, it’s nearly getting them to fall.
In his return to Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, Gonzaga ahead Michael Ajayi (two factors on 1-3 FG, 4 turnovers in 11 minutes) continues to battle to search out any offensive rhythm. Going from the highest scoring choice for the Waves only a yr in the past to a job participant for the Zags has been a tricky transition for the junior wing. Khalif Battle was in a position to decide a lot of the slack after being ejected for a flagrant 2 foul towards UCLA. He performed hungry for redemption and broke down the Pepperdine protection along with his 21 factors on 7-11 FG/0-2 3PT/7-8 FT.
On protection, the Gonzaga guards out on the perimeter bought blown by and had defensive lapses time and again when making an attempt to cease coach Ed Schillings’ backcourt. The Zags turned the ball over a complete of 13 instances (six of these coming off Ryan Nembhard) which is above their season common of 10.4 heading into the sport.
Exhausting to consider that Jaxon Olvera of the Waves is a freshman who simply averages 6.4 PPG. No reply was discovered for stopping the guard who completed with a game-high 27 factors on 12 -21 FG/3-8 3PT. He’s going to be wanted fairly a bit within the switch portal.
The WCC had fairly a bit transferring happening between league foes through the offseason. Former Pacific Tigers guard Moe Odum and former San Francisco Dons ahead Stefan Todorovic took their abilities to Malibu. The Waves did find yourself shedding star ahead Jevon Porter (brother of Denver Nuggets ahead Michael Porter Jr.) to the Loyola Marymount Lions.
Together with Ryan Nembhard (aside from tonight which was certainly one of his worst video games in a Gonzaga uniform at 9 factors on 4-15 FG/0-5 3PT, three assists, six turnovers), Odum is among the greatest facilitators you’ll come throughout in convention play along with his 7.5 APG which was the sixth most within the nation heading into tonight’s matchup. He placed on certainly one of his extra stronger scoring performances in his profession with a career-high 24 factors on 9-16 FG/2-5 3PT/4-4 FT to go together with eight assists. Todorovic got here into tonight because the scoring chief within the WCC at 19.7 PPG however had certainly one of his extra off nights capturing the ball going 5-15 FG/3-10 3PT to complete with 16 factors.
The Zags proceed to undergo some appreciable three-point capturing woes of their very own (tied for 177th at 33.3 3PT%). Towards Pepperdine, a disgusting 2-15 3PT (13.3%) was witnessed. Nolan Hickman has been the one dependable deep risk for coach Mark Few, ending 2-4 3PT within the win over the Waves which strikes his three-point proportion to 44.1%. The issue when he’s out on the ground is that he’s a legal responsibility on the defensive finish, having hassle staying in entrance of his project.
Gonzaga’s robust inside presence together with their quick tempo is the essential motive why the Zags are predicted to return away as WCC champions for the twenty first time since 1999. Their skill to search out buckets on the rim is how they had been in a position to draw back this victory. 64 of their 89 whole factors got here from contained in the paint towards Pepperdine.
After enjoying simply 9 minutes towards UCLA, Braden Huff is off to a roaring begin to convention play off the bench along with his 19 factors on a close to excellent 9-10 FG plus six rebounds and one steal. How he solely performed 17 minutes towards the Waves and is averaging 18.1 MPG up up to now of the season continues to be a thriller with Few’s rotation. Graham Ike (16 factors on 7-10 FG, 9 rebounds, one block) did miss two simple dunk makes an attempt however in any other case, he’s been extra dependable as a scoring risk over the past two video games. Consistency from each is essential as convention play continues on.
Can’t take any win as a right within the West Coast Convention, this league is proficient from prime to backside. The Zags host arguably the worst crew within the league with the Portland Pilots up subsequent on Thursday, January 2nd at 6 PM PT on ESPN+/KHQ.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga College graduate from the Bay Space… Comply with him on Twitter @a_cravalho
