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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga guards face test from Geno Crandall and North Dakota’s backcourt

North Dakota guard Geno Crandall (0) leads the Fighting Hawks in points and assists. (Lance Iversen / Associated Press)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

North Dakota, like several non-conference visitors to the McCarthey Athletic Center this season, will be undersized compared to Gonzaga but the Fighting Hawks have capable guards.

Junior Geno Crandall leads the way. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder paces UND in just about every category: points (16.5), field goals (55), 3-pointers made (17), 3-point percentage (41.5), free throws made (38), assists (35) and steals (22). He grabs 4.9 boards per game but has been turnover-prone (35).

North Dakota guard Cortez Seales averages 11.0 points for the Fighting Hawks. (Lance Iversen / Associated Press)
North Dakota guard Cortez Seales averages 11.0 points for the Fighting Hawks. (Lance Iversen / Associated Press)

Gonzaga’s Silas Melson, often assigned to the opponent’s best perimeter player, will likely start out on Crandall. Josh Perkins and Zach Norvell Jr. could be options, but they’ll probably be busy with Crandall’s backcourt mates.

Crandall was second-team All-Big Sky last season on UND’s championship team. He’s joined in the backcourt by 6-3 sophomore Marlon Stewart (13.7 ppg, 3.0 assists) and 6-4 junior Cortez Seales (11.0 ppg, team-high six blocks).