Key matchup: Gonzaga’s Nigel Williams-Goss vs. Utah Valley’s Brandon Randolph
Gonzaga’s Nigel Williams-Goss put up 20 points versus West Georgia in GU exhibition win on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
It should be an interesting battle between two talented point guards. Utah Valley’s Brandon Randolph, a transfer from Xavier, had a triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) in an exhibition win over Western State. Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s Nigel Williams-Goss put up 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists versus West Georgia. Expect Silas Melson, GU’s best perimeter defender, to see time guarding Randolph.
Gonzaga had a huge advantage against West Georgia but the Wolverines possess some interior size. BYU transfer Isaac Nielson (6-foot-11, 245 pounds) faced the Zags earlier in his career. Still, Gonzaga will try to work inside-out, utilizing 7-footers Premek Karnowski and Zach Collins and 6-9 forward Johnathan Williams in the paint.