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Bill Walton asked his broadcasting partner, Dave Pasch, if he had parents. Enough said.
I think @BillWalton is impressed @ZagKennelClub pic.twitter.com/GSLII5Dqsw
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) December 6, 2018
It has been 74 years since Washington has beaten Gonzaga in Spokane. That streak continues as the Gonzaga Bulldogs grit out a win over UW to be the top dog in the state of Washington. That is all due to Rui for the game-winning jump shot, a part of his game that has extremely improved this season. The Zags struggled throughout this game to push ahead of the Huskies and their zone defense but a win is a win. Thanks to this victory, GU improves to 9-0 on the season.
Washington vs Gonzaga Observations:
- Hachimura was attacking the rim early on. He had 18 points in the 1st half, 6 points coming from the free throw line.
- Gonzaga shot a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line in the 1st half. Clarke is starting to look more comfortable at the charity stripe.
- The UW zone is extremely annoying and Gonzaga seemed to have trouble with it in this ugly game.
- “What’s your name again?” - Bill Walton to Dave Pasch (numerous times).
- Rui and Perkins played all twenty minutes in the 1st half.
UW with a big three, but Hachimura getting through traffic at the other end for the layup. Zags lead Huskies 40-30 at the half! @SWXRightNow pic.twitter.com/GQ4VQExmRw
— Taylor Brooks (@TaylorBrooksTV) December 6, 2018
All Zag #UnitedWeZag pic.twitter.com/74g4WaDR7D
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) December 6, 2018
- Washington came out hot to start the 2nd half and went on a 15-2 run.
- Perkins took some questionable shots in that half.
- A huge loss for the Huskies as Hameir Wright fouled out with 10 minutes left in the 2nd half.
- Zags were feasting in the paint once again. Kispert and Norvell had some great interior passing.
- Huskies were also eating in the paint. Noah Dickerson had a solid night (13 points, 7 rebounds) but fouled out with 3 minutes left in the game.
- Gonzaga defense was looking a bit sloppy in the 2nd half.
- Jaylen Nowell (26 points, 6 assists) could be the best player in the PAC-12. Bol Bol and Nowell will be fighting for that right.
- Brandon Clarke wasn’t playing like his normal self tonight but still had a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds). He missed a lot of buckets right under the rim.
- Zach Norvell fouled out and wasn’t on the court for the final play of the game (79-79 with less than 20 seconds left).
- Rui Hachimura for National Player of the Year. He hit the contested game-winning jumper which is becoming the best part of his game. Finished with 26 points and 7 rebounds.
- Gonzaga continued to be hot from the free throw line with a perfect 19 for 19.
- No sight of Greg Foster Jr. or Joel Ayayi in this one.
Rui Hachimura comes up clutch for @ZagMBBB scoring 26 points against Washington, but none bigger than this game-winner: pic.twitter.com/CgdsxWFiDe
— SWXRightNow (@SWXRightNow) December 6, 2018
Time to get ready for a huge test as Gonzaga plays in the Jerry Colangelo Classic in Phoenix against #7 Tennessee. The North Carolina matchup was the one to save on the calendar before the season started. Due to the Tar Heels’ recent struggles with losses against Texas and at #7 Michigan, Rick Barnes and the Volunteers look like a tougher matchup for Gonzaga.
Gonzaga has already beaten the #1, #29, #49, and #51 teams in KenPom and they've only played 9 games. Their next 2 games? the #7 and #10 ranked teams.
— Jake Nazar (@jake_nazar) December 6, 2018
Mark Few has his best team ever and wants to beat everyone with it
*Arden Cravalho is a senior at Gonzaga University... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho