Gonzaga basketball: ZAGS 360 – Bulldogs prove they are No. 1 in the country

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Dec 20, 2020
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Andrew Nembhard, Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Every Sunday during the season, Zags 360 takes a look back at the Gonzaga Bulldogs week that was and looks ahead to next week.

On December 2, less than an hour before the much-anticipated No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs versus No. 2 Baylor Bears game, it was called off. One Gonzaga team member and one non-athlete tested positive for the coronavirus. The Bulldogs also called off their next five games. Saturday’s game between the Zags and No. 3 Iowa came after a two-week layoff for the Bulldogs.

There was nothing to worry about. Gonzaga came out like their old, confident, assured, and lightning-fast in transition selves. Some fans (including me) were concerned they would be a little rusty, but the Zags were better than ever.

Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Iowa State Hawkeyes – December 20

The Terrifying Three were terrifying, although Drew Timme ran into foul trouble and fouled out the game. Before he left, Timme contributed 15 points and nine rebounds.

Corey Kispert was also in foul trouble and fouled out in the second half. His contribution to the team’s victory was 13 points and six assists.

Jalen Suggs led his team to this 99-88 victory. He was a human highlight reel all to himself. In the first half, Suggs had 18 points. Five of six from beyond the arc, with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Suggs was everywhere. He ended the game with his career-high 27 points with seven of ten from outside. He also had seven rebounds, four assists, and one block. In a CBSSports interview, Suggs said:

This past week-and-a-half, I spent a lot of time in the gym by myself, just late at night spending time getting shots up under the gun. Coming into this weekend, I really felt like my jump shot improved and I felt really comfortable with it. I was telling everybody that this was a shooter’s gym. It feels really good in here and I just came out today really confident.

Joel Ayayi, their rebound machine, had his career-high 18 boards. He was snatching everything that came down on the offensive and defensive sides of the court. Ayayi also had 11 points and six assists.

Off the bench, Andrew Nembhard was there with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

For Iowa, Luka Garza had 30 points, and teammate Joe Wieskamp had 20 points and nine rebounds.

What to Watch For Next Week

  • The Zags play Northwestern State on Monday, December 21, 6:00 pm, at the McCarthy Center. NSU is 1-7 and should be an easy one for Gonzaga.
  • The Bulldogs play 17th ranked Virginia on Saturday, December 26. Virginia is just coming back after a ten-day shutdown of basketball activities due to the coronavirus.
  • Again we will be watching for teams’ closings due to Covid-19 protocol.

It is great having the Gonzaga Bulldogs back, and we look forward to many more exciting games starting with Northwestern State Monday.

 

 

 

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