The Gonzaga Bulldogs are a mid-major in name only, as they have quickly established themselves as one of the best teams in the country regardless of conference affiliation. The Bulldogs will aim to further their move up the national rankings with a win over the Washington Huskies.
Even though Washington is the Pac-12 team, it could have a tough time winning this game because of what Gonzaga has proven throughout the early portion of the season.
At 9 p.m. ET, tune into CBS for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
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Gonzaga is 8-0 straight up this season and 4-2 against the spread. The Bulldogs have played at home three times when a spread has been released, covering two of those contests.
Washington is 4-3 straight up and 3-3 against the spread the season. The Huskies will get some points in this matchup and will aim to cover on the road.
Key Stat
2. That’s the number of wins Gonzaga has over ranked opponents this season. They defeated No. 21 Iowa State by a score of 73-71 in November, as Nigel Williams-Goss scored 18 points and the Bulldogs survived after nearly blowing an 18-point second half advantage.
Gonzaga then knocked off No. 16 Arizona by a score of 69-62. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Przemek Karnowski, who had 18 in the contest.
Gonzaga’s offense is averaging 83.5 points a game and holding opposing teams to 64.6 points a game right now. The team’s undefeated start does not include a true road game, however, as all wins have been taken place at home or at a neutral start thus far.
The Bulldogs have looked really good, and the wins over ranked teams makes it a legitimately fats start as they have climbed into the top-10 nationally. Gonzaga has had some good teams through the years and this is one of the most balanced and talented.
Player To Watch
Markelle Fultz - The Washington point guard is only a freshman but has stormed onto the college basketball scene. He has been so good that he is already getting NBA buzz and will aim to put on a show against Gonzaga.
Fultz has averaged 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists on the year. He is shooting 54 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range, making life tough for opposing defenses.
Fultz has the raw ability to put up big numbers against anybody. The Bulldogs have the better overall team, but a star can change fortunes in a hurry with a solid performance.
For all of his talent, Fultz is still young and inexperienced, and it will be interesting to see how he manages the hostile road environment.
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Gonzaga doesn’t have a super tough conference season so it likes to load up the non-conference schedule against big-conference foes to pad the resume in advance of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The Huskies have not been running on all cylinders, but have the talent to hang around as long as Fultz has a big game.
Gonzaga has already knocked off some top-tier opponents and will aim to pick up another win. Both teams are high-scoring and this could be an entertaining affair.
The Bulldogs are more well-rounded and should be able to take care of business, but watch to see how Fultz does as he could be a legitimate superstar as the season goes on.
College Basketball Odds: Gonzaga 86, Washington 78
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