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Gonzaga Holds Off NDSU, Will Face Iowa In Round Of 32

By James Silberman

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The first 90 seconds of the game gave Gonzaga fans flashbacks of Wichita State and Davidson as North Dakota State splashed three shots from beyond the arc in their first three posessions.

Then Kevin Pangos hit a three, the Zags went on a 20-4 run and all was right with the world again.

There were a few more anxious moments to come in the second half as chubby, 6’6″ PF Dexter Werner suddenly turned into Zach Randolph and scored scored nine points in four minutes taking Domantas Sabonis and Przemek Karnowski off the dribble to bring the Bison within six at 68-62.

But then Kevin Pangos hit another three. This time while also getting fouled to strectch the lead back to double-digits for good.

Overall, it wasn’t quite the domination the would like to see for a team with championship aspirations, but in fairness, NDSU is a REALLY good team for a 15 seed. Lawrence Alexander is one of the best scorers in the country, and Werner had a four minutes stretch where he looked like the best scorer in the country. 

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But the goal is survive and advance and Gonzaga did just that. Next up, the seventh seeded Iowa Hawkeyes. Again, what the heck? How is Iowa so underrated?

This will be a considerably tougher game than a possible matchup with UCLA in the Sweet 16 would be. Iowa has eight wins over NCAA Tournament teams including a win at North Carolina, a 4-0 record against Ohio State, Maryland and Indiana in conference play.

The Hawkeyes have the NCAA’s best player you’ve never heard of in senior forward Aaron White who scored 26 points on 11-14 shooting in the first round win against Davidson. Wings Jarrod Uthoff and Peter Jok can light it up from outside and off the dribble and Mike Gesell is an efficient point man with a 2.5:1 assist to turnover ratio as well as an outside shot.

The Zags have one final tough matchup before an easier matchup with UCLA and a game against, presumably, Duke or Utah in the Elite 8.

My prediction: this one is a barn-burner. White is the matchup nightmare for Gonzaga that Kyle Wlitjer is for every other team. Whilte scores 30 and Iowa holds a slim lead for much of the first half before the depth of Gonzaga starts to kick in and White begins to wear down.

Gonzaga 80, Iowa 72.

Next: Five Reasons Gonzaga Can Reach The Final Four

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