ZAGS 360: Week 2 went as expected; its Week 3 we should talk about

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Nov 22, 2021
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Hunter Sallis, Gonzaga Bulldogs.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs’ Thanksgiving Week games will not be the run-of-the-mill smackdowns. Aside from Central Michigan, the Bulldogs face a pair of Top-Ten teams #2 UCLA and #7 Duke.

I am starting my second season covering the Gonzaga Bulldogs for Pacific Northwest Sports, but I feel as if I’ve known them forever. The Gonzaga Bulldogs are a formidable team, unbeatable in the WCC. But this week, Gonzaga faces some pretty stiff competition.

The Zags travel to Las Vegas for three games at T-Mobile Arena. First up is Central Michigan, on Monday, then a Final Four rematch against UCLA Tuesday, before finishing the week on Friday versus Duke. More on what’s ahead later, before we get to that, let’s talk about the games of Week 2.

Gonzaga 84 vs Alcorn State 57

Julian Strawther was great in this game. He matched his career-high 17 points, then passed it with 18 points. Drew Timme, Andrew Nembhard, and Anton Watson showed the new guys what it means to win the Bulldogs way.

The new players, however, give Gonzaga what it needs to go all the way. Rasir Bolton is very forceful on defense, and his outside shot improves every game. Hunter Sallis is a joy to watch. He’s great in transition and reads the court well. Mark Few said of Salliis, “He’s finding his baskets where he needs to find them. He can really pressure the ball, too.”

Chet Holmgren, “The Slim Reaper,” seals the deal. His defense is intense. The Reaper blocked a shot and came down the court for a three! Holmgren contributed three blocks and six rebounds, to go along with 11 points.

The combination of Timme and Holmgren makes it seem the Zags are unstoppable.

Gonzaga 92 vs Bellarmine 50

The game between Gonzaga and the Bellarmine Knights is one Timme won’t forget. During this game, Mr. Timme became a member of the Gonzaga Bulldogs 1,000-point club. The club’s newest member had 25 points on the night with five rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

The Bellarmine game was as exciting as it could be when the Zags won by 42 points. It was physical in the first half, and there was even a flagrant foul one committed against Timme. That is until they met Anton Watson.

Watson fouled out of the game, so he gave the Knights as good as they gave. Gonzaga’s defense is much better this season. The additions of Chet Holmgren, Rasir Bolton, Hunter Sallis, and Nolan Hickman give the Zags a different level of physicality and a new offense.

Few’s new offense is more attempts beyond the arc. Gonzaga will need it; the next section explains why.

What’s next?

Thanksgiving week will be an exciting one for Gonzaga. The  Bulldogs travel to Las Vegas, NV, for three games.

  • Central Michigan Chippewas (1-2)
  • UCLA Bruins (5-0)
  • Duke Blue Devils (5-0)

What to look for

1) Central Michigan Chippewas – C-Mich will have a tough time against the Zags. The Chippewas can shoot with a 40.4 field goal percentage and 33.3 three-point percentage, but they also allow 79.3 points per game.

2) UCLA Bruins – This will be a rematch of the Bulldogs-Bruins Final Four game at last season’s NCAA tournament. Gonzaga won that game with a stunning three-point buzzer-beater by Jalen Suggs. The shot is something that is a staple of Coach Few’s practices.

Unfortunately for Gonzaga, the Bruins return Johnny Juzang and Tyger Campbell. Like the Zags, UCLA is unbeaten so far this season. Also, it seems the only basket the Bruins make is beyond the arc; they rain down threes. Highlights of the UCLA/Villanova game will tell Zags fans all they need to know.

3) Duke Blue Devils – Watch highlights of the Duke/Kentucky game. Between the Zags, Bruins, and Blue Devils, two games of the three could be playing each other in the National Final.

I’m thankful that the Bulldogs will be getting to see what to expect at March Madness. I love that the Zags are undefeated during the regular season but who among us in Zags Nation didn’t get their hearts torn out by Baylor in the championship game. If nothing more, Gonzaga will know what to expect from the top Power-5 teams.

Related Story: Zags Spotlight on Julian Strawther

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and from all of us at PNWS, have a happy and healthy Turkey Day.

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