Difference maker

A case could be made for anybody in the starting five or Przemek Karnowski, who came off the bench in Gonzaga’s exhibition game, but Gary Bell Jr. is perhaps the bigger difference maker at both ends of the court.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore from Kent, Wash., joined Kevin Pangos to form one of the top backcourts on the West Coast last season. Bell averaged 10.4 points and drained 52.3 percent of his 3-point attempts in conference games and nearly 48 percent for the season. Bell, a 74 percent free-throw shooter, also contributed 2.5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Bell is regarded as one of the team’s best defenders and often guarded the opponent’s top perimeter player.

Bell was GU’s leading scorer in two NCAA tournament games, averaging 16 points.