Gonzaga vs. Seattle U Preview (Local weather Pledge Area)

[ad_1] The No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs (18-1, 6-0 WCC) now should face life with out redshirt junior ahead Braden Huff for the foreseeable future. Primarily based on what was witnessed in Pullman towards the Washington State Cougars on Thursday evening, this group has sufficient depth to maneuver previous this devastating damage and change Huff’s down-low presence in addition to his scoring manufacturing. Gonzaga coach Mark Few has thrown out 9 completely different beginning lineups this season. Even with out Huff, the Zags nonetheless obtained dudes.

It's senior wing Jalen Warley who will likely be seen enjoying nearly all of the 4 spot going ahead. The previous Florida State Seminole and Virginia Cavalier stands 6-7 and is as energetic a participant as will be on the defensive finish. He’s a glue man that does all of it: causes chaos within the passing lanes, can flip protection into offense rapidly, does the soiled work on the glass. Just about something it takes to assist a staff win, which is why Few goes to depend on him closely.

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Count on sophomore middle Ismaila Diagne to even be given extra significant minutes to switch the dimensions and stature on the rim that Huff delivered to the desk. Much more stress may also be placed on graduate ahead Graham Ike, as if he didn’t have already got sufficient on his plate. His 42 profession double-doubles (11 this season) are actually tied for the second-most amongst energetic gamers.

Seattle U RedHawks The primary matchup with the Seattle U RedHawks (13-6, 2-4 WCC) since rejoining the then West Coast Athletic Convention was an unpleasant watch. In Spokane, Washington, again on Jan. 3, Gonzaga lacked spirit/vitality from the tip and needed to end the job in time beyond regulation.

Fifth-year coach Chris Victor of Seattle U continues to be going to be somebody to reckon with within the West Coast Convention. Since taking the job in 2022, Victor has put collectively an 83-54 general document and received the Faculty Basketball Invitational in 2024. His group has struggled to begin convention play in 2025-26, taking a three-game skid on the Bulldogs, on the Saint Mary’s Gaels, and on the Oregon State Beavers.

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The Redhawks deliver discomfort one by means of 5 with their bodily No. 41-ranked protection, in line with KenPom. They’re the most effective at defending the basket within the West Coast Convention, swatting away 5.1 photographs as a unit per sport behind redshirt sophomore ahead Will Heimbrodt’s 2.7 blocks per sport.

Victor’s unit is hard as nails, but disciplined, whereas solely 16.8 private fouls are given up per sport for the third-least within the West Coast Convention.

Participant to Watch For:

Senior guard Brayden Maldonado

2025-26 season averages: team-leading 15.1 factors on 44.0 discipline objective proportion/38.2 three-point proportion/92.4 free throw proportion, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.7 steals per sport

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The 6-0 ground chief appears to be like like an All-West Coast Convention man together with his play this season. Maldonado takes robust photographs, however will be inconsistent together with his makes at instances.

The previous Division II product has the flexibility to attain in any respect three ranges of the ground and may create separation at an elite clip.

Keys to the Recreation:

Get off to a stronger begin

Within the first matchup, the Redhawks went on a 17-2 run early within the first half. Extra vitality and vigor proper when the ball is tipped is required from everybody on the ground representing Gonzaga.

Push the fastbreak

With Huff out and Warley on the ground extra, the Zags can play a a lot faster tempo and hit the gasoline pedal on the fastbreak extra typically.

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Crash the boards

The extra irritating side of the primary go-around with Seattle U was the truth that Gonzaga was outrebounded 41-40 by the Redhawks. Giving up 15 offensive rebounds is insupportable towards any opponent.

Betting Odds:

In response to FanDuel Sportsbook, Gonzaga is the favourite over Seattle U by a large 13.5 factors. Moneyline for the Zags is at -1250 and +740 for the RedHawks. The over/below is ready at 149.5. The Zags are driving an 11-game successful streak.

It’s nice to see that this in-state Washington matchup was revitalized for the primary time since 1980. Seattle U has a 50-22 benefit within the all-time collection over Gonzaga and would make for a good non-conference opponent when the Zags’ program strikes to the Pac-12 Convention.

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The ultimate regular-season matchup between the 2 universities will happen on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7:00 p.m. PT on ESPN+. Count on the Local weather Pledge Area in Seattle, Washington, to have a Gonzaga-favorable crowd.

KenPom/NET Replace The Zags have dropped all the way down to No. 7 general with the No. 5-ranked offense and No. 12-ranked protection in faculty basketball, in line with KenPom. They’re on the No. 2/No. 3 seed line for the NCAA Match.