Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski’s size takes toll on smaller guards

Jordan Mathews might have a trick for guards to avoid Gonzaga’s 7-foot-1, 300-pound behemoth center Przemek Karnowski.

“I haven’t done it since September,” Mathews said on going up against Karnowski in practice. “I don’t even venture in the paint. You see him down there, you start doing that back dribble. Guards have perfected the back dribble in order not to run into Shem.”

Gonzaga point guard Josh Perkins repeated Mathews’ sentiment.

“I’m smart about it. I try to avoid those collisions,” Perkins said. “When I first got there my freshman year, I tried to take him on. But the body warned me as something I shouldn’t be doing all the time.

“He’s a force in there. … I’m just glad I get to play with that guy. He’s something.”

Perkins and Mathews can’t help but smile seeing the other team’s guards collide with Karnowski as they observe from the perimeter.

“You see guys on other teams do it and you can see it coming and you’re like, ‘Go ahead and do that,’ ” I did it once in September and my head was rattling for a day and half.”