Gonzaga has looked like a team on a mission in this tournament, defeating UCLA 74-62 in the Sweet 16 for its third straight double-digit victory. The Bulldogs have covered in their past two games and their defense has looked locked in, allowing just 65.0 PPG in those contests. Duke, meanwhile, defeated Utah 63-57 as a 4.5-point favorite on Friday. The Blue Devils have won-and-covered in all three of their tournament games and they’ve given up 57 or less points in all three of those contests. The last time these two teams played each other was Dec. 19, 2009, when Duke won 76-41 as an 8.5-point favorite. The Blue Devils have won-and-covered in the only two meetings between these teams since 1997. Gonzaga is 19-7 ATS when playing with one or less days rest over the past two seasons. The Bulldogs are also 23-10 ATS as neutral court underdogs of six points or less since 1997. Duke, however, is 14-7 ATS after playing three consecutive games as a favorite this season. G Josh Perkins (Jaw) is out indefinitely for Gonzaga and Duke is not currently dealing with any significant injuries.
Gonzaga has one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, averaging 79.1 PPG (10th in NCAA) on 52.4% shooting (6th in NCAA). This team shares the ball extremely well (16.5 APG, 6th in NCAA) and also is very tough on the glass (37.9 RPG, 30th in NCAA). On the defensive end, the Bulldogs are allowing 61.5 PPG (50th in NCAA) and have been playing very well in the tournament. F Kyle Wiltjer (16.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.9 APG) struggled in the win over UCLA, scoring just eight points (4-for-12 FG, 0-for-3 3PT) in 30 minutes. Wiltjer is this team’s most reliable scorer and will need to get back on track against Duke. He can really shoot the ball from behind the arc (47% 3PT) and should be able to have his way with a Duke team that is weakest at the power forward position. G Kevin Pangos (11.8 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.3 SPG) is also a very good outside shooter (44% 3PT) and is very experienced. He’ll need to be on his game and make sure his teammates are in the right spots on the floor in this one. G Byron Wesley (10.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG) is likely going to see a lot of time matched up with Justise Winslow. He will need to knock down open shots when he gets them, but he’ll really just need to be sound defensively against Duke’s red-hot forward. C Przemek Karnowski (11.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.1 BPG) will be matched up against Jahlil Okafor in this one. Karnowski was a monster against the Bruins last game, finishing with 18 points (8-for-11 FG) and nine rebounds in 28 minutes. If he can play some solid defense on Okafor then the Bulldogs will have a very good chance of advancing. F Domantas Sabonis (9.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG) will also need to come in and disrupt Okafor for a little bit. Sabonis is averaging 15.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG over the past two contests and will need to keep up his strong play Sunday.
Like Gonzaga, this Duke offense has been pretty much unstoppable this season. The Blue Devils are putting up a ridiculous 80.6 PPG (4th in NCAA) on 50.2% shooting (3rd in NCAA). They do struggle at times defensively though, allowing 64.6 PPG (126th in NCAA) this season. C Jahlil Okafor (17.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG) really struggled against Utah, finishing with just six points and eight boards in 32 minutes. Okafor will need to be on his game against the Bulldogs, as this team probably can’t afford to have him not score in double-digits again. Fortunately for Duke, F Justise Winslow (12.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG) really stepped it up against Utah. He had 21 points (8-for-13 FG, 3-for-4 3PT), 10 rebounds and two blocks in 37 minutes of action and really shot the ball well. If he can come through with an offensive performance like that in this one then Duke will be in very good shape. G Tyus Jones (11.5 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG) had 15 points, three assists and three rebounds against Utah in 38 minutes of action. Jones had struggled to score the ball with just 8.0 PPG in the previous two tournament games. He should be feeling confident coming into this game and will need to be good because his matchup with Pangos will be crucial. G Quinn Cook (15.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG) had 11 points and four rebounds in 38 minutes against Utah. Cook is the leader of this Duke team and is very experienced. He is extremely clutch and will need to play at a high level against the Zags.
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