The San Francisco Dons, with a record of 15-14, came into this game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, with a record of 26-2, looking to pull off a major upset, but their hopes were quickly dashed as Gonzaga took control of the game from the opening tip, outscoring San Francisco 41-29 in the first half, with Graham Ike leading the charge with 12 points. San Francisco's Tyrone Riley IV tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 10 points in the first half, but it wasn't enough to overcome Gonzaga's balanced attack, which saw 4 players score in double figures. Over their last 5 games, San Francisco has struggled, averaging 74.2 points per game while allowing 82.8 points per game, resulting in a 2-3 record, including a 92-79 win over San Diego and a 63-90 loss to Oregon State. In contrast, Gonzaga has been on a roll, averaging 82.2 points per game while allowing 70.4 points per game, resulting in a 4-1 record, with wins over Santa Clara, Washington State, and Oregon State.
As the game wore on, Gonzaga continued to pull away, outscoring San Francisco 39-30 in the second half, with Mario Saint-Supery scoring 10 points and dishing out 4 assists. San Francisco's Mookie Cook tried to spark a comeback, scoring 8 points in the second half, but it was too little, too late, as Gonzaga's lead had grown to as much as 25 points. Gonzaga's defense was stifling, holding San Francisco to just 36% shooting from the field, including 2-14 from three-point range. Over their last 5 games, Gonzaga has outscored their opponents by an average of 11.8 points per game, while San Francisco has been outscored by an average of 8.6 points per game. This game was no exception, with Gonzaga's 21-point victory marking their 26th win of the season.
Gonzaga's Graham Ike Scores 22 Points in 80-59 Win Over San Francisco
Graham Ike's 22 points and 5 rebounds were a major factor in Gonzaga's win, as he hit several big shots to keep San Francisco at bay. Ike's performance was complemented by Mario Saint-Supery's 14 points and 6 assists, as well as Emmanuel Innocenti's 12 points and 8 rebounds. On the other hand, San Francisco's Tyrone Riley IV scored 16 points, but his team's lack of balance and depth ultimately doomed them to defeat. Mookie Cook's 12 points were not enough to overcome the team's poor shooting and defense. Legend Smiley's 10 points were a bright spot for San Francisco, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the game. Over the course of the game, Gonzaga's players made several key plays, including a dunk by Ike and a three-pointer by Saint-Supery, which helped to seal the win.
The CHD Scout prediction of a 19.2-point Gonzaga victory was spot on, as the Bulldogs' superior talent and depth ultimately was too much for San Francisco to handle.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The prediction was correct because Gonzaga's offense was able to exploit San Francisco's defense, which has been struggling to contain opponents over their last 5 games. Gonzaga's ability to score from both inside and outside, as well as their strong rebounding and defense, made it difficult for San Francisco to keep up. The model correctly accounted for Gonzaga's strengths and San Francisco's weaknesses, resulting in a predicted score that was close to the actual outcome. The 21-point margin of victory was a reflection of Gonzaga's dominance, as they outscored San Francisco by 12 points in the first half and 9 points in the second half.
As the season enters its final stretch, this win could have real consequences for Gonzaga's tournament seeding, as they look to lock up a top seed in the NCAA tournament. With a 26-2 record and a 7th ranked NET, Gonzaga is in a strong position to make a deep run in the tournament. San Francisco, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason. Over their last 5 games, San Francisco has gone 2-3, including a 75-84 loss to Loyola Marymount and a 87-82 win over Pacific. Gonzaga's recent form has been impressive, with a 4-1 record over their last 5 games, including a 94-86 win over Santa Clara and a 73-65 win over Saint Mary's.
This win solidifies Gonzaga's position as a top contender in the NCAA tournament, and could potentially lock up a top seed in the West region. San Francisco, on the other hand, must win out and get some help from other teams in order to have a chance at making the tournament. The NET rankings and quad records will play a major role in determining the tournament field, and Gonzaga's 7th ranked NET and 26-2 record make them a strong candidate for a top seed. San Francisco's 121st ranked NET and 15-14 record make it an uphill climb for them to make the tournament. With 4 games remaining in the regular season, San Francisco must win at least 3 of them to have a chance at making the tournament.
In the end, Gonzaga's 80-59 victory over San Francisco was a reflection of their strength and depth, as they dominated the game from start to finish. With 26 wins on the season, Gonzaga is in a strong position to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament, while San Francisco must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason. The 21-point margin of victory was a reflection of Gonzaga's superiority, as they outscored San Francisco by 12 points in the first half and 9 points in the second half. As the season enters its final stretch, Gonzaga is poised to make a strong run in the tournament, while San Francisco must win out and get some help from other teams in order to have a chance at making the tournament.