San Diego guard Olin Carter stung Gonzaga in first meeting

The two Isaiahs – Wright and Pineiro – are obvious choices for key matchups, but we highlighted the Toreros’ top two scorers prior to the first Gonzaga-San Diego meeting.

Junior guard Olin Carter III was USD’s best player in a 69-59 loss to the Zags three games ago. He drilled five 3-pointers, scored 21 points and committed no turnovers to help the Toreros stick close to the Zags.

Carter, who joined the Toreros’ career 1,000-point club, has taken on a smaller role with the additions of transfers Wright and Pineiro, but he’s still one of the team’s primary scorers. His importance is underscored by his team-leading 35.3 minutes per game.

Carter averaged 15.3 points last season and checks in at 11.8 this year. He’s a streaky shooter at 33 percent from distance this season, but he ranks fourth in the WCC (2.4 per game) and third in program history with 204 career 3s.

The Zags have several defensive options, but guards Silas Melson or Josh Perkins will probably line up against Carter and point guard Wright.