After a disappointing effort defensively in the 97-89 overtime loss at Oregon State, Gonzaga coach Mark Few needs to make some major fine-tuning decisions.
Since December 3rd, Santa Clara (12-7, 4-2 conference record) is averaging 82.7 PPG. No. 16 Gonzaga (14-5, 5-1 conference record) ranks No. 4 in the country at 87.8 PPG. Another high-scoring affair is in order against Gonzaga with two high-octane offenses going at it.
The Broncos are the hottest team in the West Coast Conference having won 9 of its last 11 games. Santa Clara is coming off a brutal loss at Loyola Marymount this past Thursday in a back-and-forth affair, 57-54. Christoph Tilly notched a career-high 25 points and will be a load down-low for Graham Ike to deal with once again.
Everyone remembers the shocking upset last season when the Broncos upset the Zags in the Leavey Center on Steve Nash Night, 77-76. That ended Santa Clara’s 13 year long losing streak against Gonzaga. The victory came off an Adama Ball layup in the closing seconds and the student section then stormed the court. It was a rough scene to have witnessed personally. Bal finished with 17 points on 7-16 FG/2-7 3PT to go along with six assists, three rebounds, and three steals in the win.
Santa Clara is a very versatile group and does a lot of things well. Here is how they stack up against the competition in the West Coast Conference:
79.5 PPG – 3rd in the WCC, 78th in the country
40.3 RPG – 3rd in the WCC, 66th in the country
16.0 APG – 5th in the WCC, tied for 77th in the country
45.8 FG% – 5th in the WCC
34.2 3PT% – 5th in the WCC
72.4 FT% – 5th in the WCC
After Gonzaga’s worst defensive performance in recent memory by allowing 97 points from Oregon State, the game plan is simple. Lock in on that end of the floor and let the offense come to this team naturally. A full-court or a half-court press being thrown out there would be nice to see to inspire this group and take pride of their effort on defense.
Don’t let off the gas pedal. You can see this group sometimes going through the motions when they need to be locked in for 40+ straight minutes. Both teams are going to play pissed off coming off disappointing losses so if the physicality from the Zags isn’t notched up all the way, something is seriously wrong.
Player to Watch For:
Adama Bal (senior, guard) – 13.7 PPG on 41.7 FG%/35.6 3PT%/77.4 FT%, 2.8 APG, 2.7 APG
The Frenchman has NBA Draft potential and was actually invited to the G-League Elite Camp this past offseason. He has a maturity to his offensive game and doesn’t hesitate when he wants to attack the basket. As Gonzaga fans are aware, Bal was born with the clutch gene.
He’s a creative passer/ball-handler and can see things out on the floor that others cannot. With his size at 6’7, 200-pounds plus his length at the guard position, Bal has the makings of becoming a late second round draft pick if he can become a more consistent threat from deep.
Gonzaga hosts Santa Clara in the Kennel on Saturday, January 18th at 6 PM PT on ESPN+/KHQ. No games should be taken for granted in the stacked West Coast Conference.
Side note: Virginia transfer Jalen Warley landed in Spokane earlier this week and has been practicing with the team. Him alongside Colgate transfer Braeden Smith in the backcourt is going to be fun to watch. The duo is getting a ton of reps in practice to prepare for next season.
Jalen Warley in town pic.twitter.com/gBeXtLP0e9
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) January 18, 2025
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho