The Zags are trying to avoid a three-game losing streak.
Gonzaga (14-6, 5-2 conference record) handled business against Portland (7-14, 2-6 conference record) in the first matchup at the Spokane Arena in the Community Cancer Fund Classic back on January 2nd, 81-50. The Zags dominated in all facets of this game – forced 15 turnovers, hit 11 three-pointers, won the rebounding battle 47-36. Nolan Hickman (13 points), Dusty Stromer (12 points), Braden Huff (10 points), Ryan Nembhard (10 points), Khalif Battle (10 points) all scored in double-figures.
The Pilots are coming off an impressive win 92-82 win over San Diego on Thursday. Elon transfer Max McKinnon tied the school record for most points scored in a single game with 43 points and also reached the 1,000 career point milestone during the victory in just his junior season.
Portland coach Shantay Legans is trying to turn this program around in his fourth season in charge but arguably has the worst roster in the West Coast Conference. It’s an extremely young group with 11 freshmen and just two seniors.
Player to Watch For:
Austin Rapp (freshman, forward) – 13.9 PPG on 39.1 FG%/35.4 3PT%/89.0 FT%, 6.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.3 BPG
Rapp is one of the top freshman in the WCC due to the combination of his size and ability to run the floor. The Australian is having an underrated first season in college basketball thanks to his team’s lack of success. At 6’10 and 230-pounds, Rapp leads the conference with 2.5 three-point field goals made per game. He has gradually become a better rim protector as the season has gone along (fourth in the WCC with 1.3 BPG).
This is a perfect opportunity to get everything back on track if you’re Gonzaga after disappointing losses at Oregon State and against Santa Clara. Next week is arguably the most important stretch of games in conference play with Oregon State coming to the Kennel on Tuesday, January 28th and at Saint Mary’s on Saturday, February 1st.
Before that, the Zags have to take care of the Pilots down at the Chiles Center this Saturday at 5 PM PT on ESPN+/KHQ. Gonzaga has to lock in defensively for the entirety of the game because the product on the floor lately has been abysmal. The Zags have given up exactly 200 total points over the last two games, including 103 against Santa Clara inside the McCarthey Athletic Center. That’s unheard of in its history, dating all the way back to its opening in 2004.
A better job rotating and getting out on the perimeter to close out on three-point attempts needs to be made. Coach Mark Few hasn’t been making the correct defensive adjustments with this group and that has to change immediately.
The Michael Ajayi drop-off from All-WCC First Team last season with Pepperdine to averaging just 19.1 minutes a game with Gonzaga is a head-scratcher. His role for the Zags seems to have been diminished which is quite worrisome for this program going forward.
Battle has also struggled shooting the ball mightily as of late so he needs to start seeing the ball go through the hoop. Since Washington State, he’s putting up just 26.6% from the field. Battle can be streaky at times and that just can’t happen with this tough stretch of WCC play lying ahead. He can’t be disappearing offensively from games like he did recently against the Broncos with his zero points.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho