SEATTLE — The current edition of the Gonzaga Bulldogs won’t be confused with last year’s, but it does share a similar story line.
At this time last season, Gonzaga, led by Kelly Olynyk and Elias Harris, was 9-1 and ranked 14th going into the Battle in Seattle against Kansas State. The current Bulldogs, led by Kevin Pangos, Gary Bell Jr. and Sam Dower Jr., are 9-1 and ranked 20th (tied for 16th in the USA Today poll) entering tonight’s Battle in Seattle versus South Alabama.
Gonzaga dominated Kansas State a year ago and will be a double-digit favorite tonight against South Alabama (5-4) at KeyArena. The Bulldogs are 6-4 in the BIS.
“It always means something to go to Seattle where a lot of our fan base is,” senior guard David Stockton said. “It’s just a lot of fun to go back to Gary’s hometown and an area a lot of us are familiar with.”
The Jaguars have dropped two of their past three games and carry a modest RPI of 179. They were picked second in the preseason Sun Belt Conference poll. Senior forward Augustine Rubit, a two-time all-conference first-teamer, was tabbed the preseason player of the year.
Rubit, 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, is No. 1 on the school’s all-time rebounding list and No. 1 among active NCAA Division I players with 981 boards. He has 46 career double-doubles. He’s joined up front by 6-6 junior Mychal Ammons, who averages 9.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. Senior guard Antoine Allen (10.1 ppg) is coming off a 26-point effort in a triple-overtime loss to Rice.
“Rubit is one of those multi-dimensional guys who can scoot outside and shoot, can drive on you and he’s really athletic around the hoop,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “He’ll be a tough matchup for us.”
Gonzaga has a definite size advantage inside with the 6-9 Dower and 7-1, 295-pound Przemek Karnowski. The Jags’ heaviest player is the 225-pound Ammons, but they’ve out-rebounded opponents by 4.2 boards per game. Viktor Juricek, 6-11 and 210 pounds, is the only Jag taller than 6-8, but he’s played just 14 minutes this season.
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