Gonzaga Game Preview: Bulldogs vs. Oakland
By Josh Horton
Nov 17, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs student line up before a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga vs. Oakland
Gametime: 5 p.m. PST
TV: Root Sports
Radio: http://www.gozags.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?SPID=90846&db_oem_id=26400
Team Records: GU – 2-0 – OU – 0-3
Leading Scorers: GU – Bell Jr. 19.0 – OU – Bader 19.3
Leading Rebonders: GU – Dower 13.0 – OU – Petros 7.3
Leading Distributors: GU – Stockton, Pangos 4.0 – OU – Mondy 6.0
Projected Starters: GU – Pangos, Bell, Stockton, Dower, Karnowski – OU – Felder, Neely II, Bader, Petros, McCune
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have proved some national analysts wrong and cruised this season without Kelly Olynyk and Elias Harris. Today, the Zags take on the shorthanded Oakland Golden Grizzlies today in hopes of improving their record to 3-0.
The Opponent
Oakland is having some off the court issues in recent games. Two players, Duke Mondy and Dante Williams were arrested Thursday morning after they were charged with felony rape. Although the charges have been dropped, the two players still face team discipline.
Mondy in particular is a big loss for the Golden Grizzlies. He is Oakland’s leading distributor with 6.0 assists per game, and led the NCAA last season in steals with 100.
To replace Mondy, the Golden Griz will need to rely on Travis Bader, who is Oakland’s leading scorer.
Keys to the Game
Score Early and Often
Gonzaga has done a great job of establishing a lead early on in the game and then maintaining it. The Bulldogs can put a downtrodden Oakland team down early on in the first half.
Bring the Polish Hammer
Przemek Karnowski has not been bad this season by any extent, but hasn’t been great either. It is time for Karnowski to live up to his billing and play like the top European prospect he is.