South Dakota State held the Zags to one of their lowest shooting percentages from 3-point range this season. Gonzaga finished 26.7 percent (8 of 30) from beyond the arc on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
With Gonzaga big man Przemek Karnowski struggling to find his rhythm, freshman center Zach Collins stepped up with 10 points, six rebounds and plenty of energy.
There are different types of Gonzaga fans in the Spokane community. Die-hards. Casual. Front-runners. Folks who just love the sweatshirts. You name it. The Bulldogs run of success has attracted them all. And nothing brings them together like the NCAA Tournament.
The key moment, offensive player of the game and defensive player of the game from Gonzaga’s 66-46 win over South Dakota State on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.
In March of 1999 – or 1 A.D., as it’s known in the context of Gonzaga basketball – the Bulldogs’ coaching staff devised what would be the game plan to launch a dynasty, not that anyone thought about it that way at the time.
Gonzaga on Sunday found out its NCAA tournament seeding (No. 1 in the West Region), site (Salt Lake City) and opponent (South Dakota State). The marvels of modern technology meant Gonzaga’s staff would have videotape and advanced analytics on the Jackrabbits as soon coach Mark Few completed his media obligations.