Gonzaga is set to face off against San Francisco on Wednesday night at Chase Center, with the game broadcasted on ESPN2 at 8:00 PM PST. The Bulldogs, currently sitting at No. 11 in the AP Poll, recently secured first place in the West Coast Conference (WCC) following a close victory over Santa Clara.
San Francisco enters the matchup with a WCC record of 7-8 and an overall record of 15-13. The Dons have had a mixed bag of results since their previous encounter with Gonzaga on January 24. They recorded quality wins over Pacific and San Diego but also experienced significant losses against teams like Santa Clara, LMU, Saint Mary’s, and Oregon State. Despite their inconsistencies, the Dons are fully capable of competing with top teams, as highlighted in their close contest with Gonzaga earlier this season, which the Bulldogs won 68-66.
In their most recent outing, San Francisco achieved a 92-79 victory over San Diego, displaying a strong offensive performance fueled by fast breaks and an aggressive approach at the free-throw line. Junior guard Ryan Beasley remains the focal point of the Dons’ offense, averaging nearly 14 points per game while also contributing assists. His ability to navigate defenses and create scoring opportunities for himself and teammates is critical for San Francisco’s success.
The Dons also boast a strong interior presence with junior forward David Fuchs, who has averaged 7.8 rebounds alongside consistent scoring. Gonzaga fans will likely remember freshman Legend Smiley, who previously delivered a standout performance against the Bulldogs, and he continues to show promise as a dangerous scorer from downtown.
For Gonzaga to secure the win, they must focus on several key areas. First, the Bulldogs need to generate offense from the wings, taking advantage of their perimeter potential to drive towards the basket and create second-chance opportunities. This will be crucial, especially since Jalen Warley is still managing a thigh bruise, placing extra importance on players like Tyon Grant-Foster, who recently showcased his capabilities with a solid performance against Santa Clara.
Limiting fouls will be another critical factor; Gonzaga’s depth could be tested without Braden Huff. The Bulldogs must balance aggressiveness in defense while avoiding early fouls, particularly from key players like Warley and Graham Ike, who are instrumental in holding their ground against San Francisco’s size.
Additionally, keeping junior guard Adam Miller assertive will be vital. After a strong showing in the last game, Miller’s ability to attack the rim and draw fouls will help lighten the load on his teammates and give Gonzaga a more diverse scoring threat.
As the game approaches, Gonzaga holds a noticeable advantage, especially with their returning players’ strong performances. However, given San Francisco’s capability to turn games into close battles, maintaining focus and executing their game plan will be essential to achieve a positive outcome before they quickly return home to face Pacific on February 22. This matchup represents an opportunity for Gonzaga to solidify their standing in the conference while preparing for challenges ahead as the season progresses.