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Zags face test in ‘Rabbits’ Daum

South Dakota State forward Mike Daum answers questions during a press conference, Wednesday March 15, 2017. The Jackrabbits play Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Vivant Smart Home Arena Thursday in Salt Lake City. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
By D.F. Oliveria daveo@spokesman.com(509) 319-0354
South Dakota State forward Mike Daum answers questions during a press conference, Wednesday March 15, 2017. The Jackrabbits play Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Vivant Smart Home Arena Thursday in Salt Lake City. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
South Dakota State forward Mike Daum answers questions during a press conference, Wednesday March 15, 2017. The Jackrabbits play Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Vivant Smart Home Arena Thursday in Salt Lake City. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

SALT LAKE CITY – Gonzaga assistant coach Brian Michaelson didn’t have to go deep into his memory bank when asked about South Dakota State scoring machine Mike Daum.

“Wiltjer.”

Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga’s scoring machine in 2015 and 2016?

“Wiltjer, that’s a better driver,” continued Michaelson, who compiled the scouting report. “As elite a scoring big as we’ve ever faced. Scary.”

The second-ranked Zags (32-1) have faced quality bigs in BYU’s Eric Mika and Jock Landale of Saint Mary’s with mixed success. No. 16-seeded South Dakota State (18-16) presents a unique challenge in Thursday’s NCAA tournament opener with the innovative scoring of the 6-foot-9, 245-pound Daum/ Jim Meehan , SR. More here.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Huckleberries Online." Read all stories from this blog