Game Preview, Game 1: Gonzaga University

IUPUI starts their 2010-2011 basketball season off the hard way, traveling out to West to take on #12 Gonzaga University. 


Who: Gonzaga University
What: Game 1 of 31
When: November 14, 2010; 4:00pm ET
Where: McCarthey Athletic Center, Gonzaga campus

IUPUI

 Gonzaga

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Overall Record 

1-0

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Conference Record

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Points Per Game

117.0

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Points Against Per Game

72.0

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Fieldgoal Percent

54.2% (22nd) 

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Freethrow Percent

78.8% (44th)

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3-Point Percent

59.1% (3rd)

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Rebounds Per Game

57 (7th)

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Assists Per Game

26 (8th)

Gonzaga University
From: Spokane, Washington
Division: Division-1
Conference: West Coast Conference
Pre-Season Rank: #12 in the country
2009-2010 Record: 27-7 (12-2)


Projected Starters
Guard: Stephen Thomas
Guard: John Ashworth
Forward: Alex Young
Forward: Leroy Nobles
Forward: Christian Siakam


Projected Key Subs
Guard: Greg Rice
Forward: Donovon Gibbs

Keys to the Game
1) Don't Let Gonzaga Run Away.
Against good teams, its easy to give up a few buckets without returning them. The problem is, they'll pull away, whereas a lowly Division-2 school will be trying to make up ground. The last thing the Jags need to do is check the scoreboard and be down double digits early. 2) Smart Guard Play.
No doubt Ron Hunter will incorporate at least three different guards both at point and the two-spot. All three (or more) need to make smart passes around the perimeter in addition to taking smart shots when left open. Gonzaga has a couple stud back-court kids
3) For The Love Of God, Don't Turn It Over.
Yeah, I know it happens, but we've GOT to hold on to the ball. 12-14 turnovers will be PLENTY to allow Gonzaga to pull away. A win is totally possible, so long as the ball doesn't end up in Bulldog hands for a fast break over and over and over and over and over and...
4) 50% FG; 80% FT 40% 3P.
It's easy to hit shots against bad teams, but someone like the Zags you should anticipate numbers to drop a bit. But if we learned anything from fellow-Indianapolis teams knocking off  Top25 foes, percents need to still be up. UIndy hit a high percentage of their shots against Tennessee, and the potential #1 fieldgoal percent shooting team in the nation needs to start this season off right.

How To Catch The Game

If you made the journey to Spokane, I envy you. For the rest of us who didn't, there are a few options. Scott McCauley will be calling the game on the radio and on IUPUIJags.com. Check ChannelSurfing.net and ESPN3.com for a feed, as well.