Here we go again; another early-season candidate for the matchup of the year.
So we hope.
Tuesday’s UCLA-Gonzaga contest didn’t live up to the hype as the Bulldogs completely outclassed the Bruins en route to a 20-point blowout in Las Vegas. The Bruins brought Final Four experience, cohesion and some elite individual talent into the big showdown. They still weren’t a match for the Zags.
From that game, we learned that Gonzaga is the rightful No. 1 team in the nation. But as the Bulldogs move on from UCLA and onto Duke, what more can we learn about No. 1 Gonzaga and, to a further extent, No. 5 Duke?
The Rundown
Gonzaga doesn’t need much more validation as a national championship contender. The Bulldogs have dominated their first few opponents and own two top-five wins on the season. A third tonight against Duke would tie them with only the 2012-13 Blue Devils for most top-five wins in November. Unlike that Duke squad, the present-day team has a lot more to prove.
The Blue Devils defeated Kentucky by 10 points at the Champions Classic to begin the season but has only played unconvincing mid-majors since. A quality outing against Gonzaga tonight would teach us a lot about Mike Krzyzewski’s final college basketball team and how they could fair throughout the season.
Speaking of Coach K, does a matchup between himself and Mark Few get any better? Their history is surprisingly small — with Coach K leading, 3-1 — though Few has the most recent victory; an 89-97 win in the 2018 Maui Invitational championship game that featured nine NBA players.
Key Players
The Chet Holmgren-Paolo Banchero battle is what we’re here for.
Both projected top-5 picks in the upcoming NBA draft, the two freshmen have been sensational through the first few games of their college careers. When these two players clash — and hopefully match up with one another from time to time — we might gain a clearer understanding of which player could be the higher pick in the draft.
The long-armed, skilled and versatile 7’1 Holmgren had a coming-out party of sorts against UCLA, scoring 15 points with six rebounds and four blocked shots.
CHET IS UNREAL 😱
HOW?! pic.twitter.com/jmESG8LD3k
— ESPN (@espn) November 24, 2021
Banchero has also looked like a man amongst boys. At 6’10, 250 lbs., his physical abilities, coupled with the skillset he has showcased thus far, have solidified him as a potential NBA great. He proved that against a talented Kentucky Wildcats team in his first-ever college basketball game.
Paolo Banchero ( @Pp_doesit ) skillset 😳🔥 this elbow and Middy work off the dribble is all translatable 22 points 7 rebounds 7-11 FG pic.twitter.com/FdwvuwLIaZ
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) November 10, 2021
Game Lines
Holmgren and Banchero are going to make the headlines, and rightfully so, but there are going to be a ton of other players that make this matchup worthwhile.
Andrew Nembhard and Drew Timme are the heart and soul of the Bulldogs basketball team, packing a ton of knowledge and college basketball experience from prior seasons. It will be fascinating to see them match up with Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr. and Mark Williams, who also bring the experience and leadership that freshmen sensations Banchero and Trevor Keels might not.
All in all, the Friday-night contest between these two top-five teams has the making for a fantastic viewing experience.
NCAAM Odds Courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook
Gonzaga Bulldogs -8.5 vs. Duke Blue Devils
O/U 154.5
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