[5:30 PM] #8 Gonzaga v. #16 Arizona

Who will WIN this matchup?

#8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-0)

#16 Arizona Wildcats (6-1)

 

• Arizona has won six of the previous seven matchups, including a 68-63 triumph in Spokane last season.

• The Bulldogs are 7-0 for the fifth time since the 1958-59 season, but Arizona has spoiled two of those season-opening winning streaks with victories in 2008 and 2014.

• The Bulldogs have had seven different leading scorers in their seven games, with guards Nigel Williams-Goss (12.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists) and Josh Perkins (12.7 points) guiding the balanced attack. Forward Johnathan Williams (10.9 points, 5.9 rebounds) has turned it on of late, scoring 66 points on 72 percent shooting over the last five games – including wins over Florida and Iowa State in the AdvoCare Invitational. Big men Przemek Karnowski (10.7 points, six rebounds) and Zach Collins (11.6, 5.4) give Gonzaga a pair of 7-footers that creates matchup problems in the post.

• The Wildcats have relied on a seven-man rotation after losing forward Ray Smith and guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright to injuries and playing without guard Allonzo Trier due to eligibility issues. Arizona’s top three scorers are the freshman trio of Lauri Markkanen (18.3 points, 7.6 rebounds), Kobi Simmons (13 points) and Rawle Alkins (10.9 points). Markkanen, who is an excellent shooter from both 3-point range (46.9 percent) and the foul line (89.2), has scored in double figures in each of his first seven collegiate games.

• Gonzaga is 25-of-57 from 3-point range – including 17-of-29 in the first half – over its last two games, with nine players hitting 3-pointers over that stretch.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: #8 Gonzaga Bulldogs

Confidence: 4/10

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