USA Today via Reuters
Dec 26, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Corey Kispert (24) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (1) and forward Drew Timme (2) during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 26, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Corey Kispert (24) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (1) and forward Drew Timme (2) during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Men’s Basketball has had an interesting season so far. However, there has been one frontrunner all season long. The seemingly invincible Gonzaga Bulldogs will take on the unranked San Francisco Dons in a matchup that many expect to be a one-way sweep.
The AP Poll this year has been dominated by the Zags, who have been number one all year long. While they lost out on a chance to compete for the 2020 NCAA Tournament, the team is heading into the 2021 tournament as easy favorites. They are a perfect 9-0 this season and have had big wins over teams like the Kansas Jayhawks, Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Virginia Cavaliers.
Gonzaga is the 1st team ever to beat 4 AP top-20 teams in its first 7 games of the season.
The 23-point margin of victory matches Gonzaga's largest against a ranked team under Mark Few. pic.twitter.com/3OalKg9zn7
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 26, 2020
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The San Francisco Dons are one of the better teams throughout the country, but have a humble 7-4 record. One of their wins came over the Virginia Cavaliers as well.
However, is it even possible for them to upset the giants that are the Bulldogs?
NCAA Men’s Basketball: The success doesn’t stop easily
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While many people often speak warily of the future, we are taking a different approach. Most people believe that success can go in one quick sweep and failure is harder to overcome. But when you’re in a team sport with a fantastic system, players, and coach, losing takes a lot of effort. Or one uncharacteristically cold night, which any team can face.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 28, 2020; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Andrew Nembhard (3) and Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Corey Kispert (24) celebrate a basket against the Dixie State Trailblazers in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The Dons are a solid defensive team, but containing the Bulldogs will be very hard. They are also not the best three-point shooting team, shooting under 35% from beyond the arc this season. The key to victory for the Dons is to hope that their solid defense can hold up while they find their shot.
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The starting lineup for San Francisco will be Khalil Shabazz, Josh Kunen, Dzmitry Ryuny, Jamaree Bouyea, and Taavi Jurkatamm. The Bulldogs will start with Jalen Suggs, Drew Timme, Corey Kispert, Anton Watson, and Joel Ayayi.
The prediction for this game is simple and straightforward. Zags win. They are just way too loaded to lose this game. For ‘Zaga to lose this, the Dons need to have a very strong performance which can do what four ranked teams before them failed to do.
