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Gonzaga Basketball

The Gonzaga-Saint Mary’s main event: Jock Landale vs. Przemek Karnowski

Saint Mary’s Jock Landale, right, shoots against Stanford’s Reid Travis (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Stanford, Calif. (Ben Margot / Associated Press)
Saint Mary’s Jock Landale, right, shoots against Stanford’s Reid Travis (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Stanford, Calif. (Ben Margot / Associated Press)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Good luck finding weak spots on either squad when the No. 5 Gonzaga Bulldogs host the No. 21 Saint Mary’s Gaels on Saturday in the McCarthey Athletic Center

Take your pick, they’re all key matchups. The play-making backcourts: Saint Mary’s duo of Emmett Naar and Joe Rahon versus Gonzaga’s Nigel Williams-Goss and Josh Perkins. Gaels guard Calvin Hermanson, who scored 27 points in his Portland homecoming on Thursday, vs. Jordan Mathews, one of the top perimeter shooters in the country.

We’re going inside where Gonzaga’s Przemek Karnowski and Saint Mary’s counterpart Jock Landale will battle in the lane. Both are big, skilled, experienced post players, a rarity on most WCC rosters.

Karnowski and backup Zach Collins combine for more than 23 points and 11 rebounds, though they have played together on some occasions. Landale is having an MVP-caliber season (17.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg) while handing out 35 assists. The winner of the post matchup could sway the overall outcome.