Key matchups: Gonzaga mindful of Bengals’ 3-point shooter Jared Stutzman
One of the Zags’ primary goals defensively will be containing Idaho State’s 3-point shooters, led by 6-foot-6 guard/forward Jared Stutzman.
The junior from Idaho Falls hit 52 percent from distance last season. He played at Utah Valley as a freshman and faced Gonzaga in a game two seasons ago.
The Zags have two options in their projected starting lineup: 6-6 Corey Kispert or 6-5 Zach Norvell Jr. Both have the size and strength to match up with the 200-pound Stutzman.
Another possibility is 6-3 Geno Crandall, who came off the bench to open the Central Washington game but was in the starting five for the second half. Crandall, who had three steals, will likely see time on Stutzman or 6-1 guard Brandon Boyd, who made 44 3-pointers on 33.8 percent accuracy last season. Crandall is familiar with Stutzman and Boyd from his playing days at North Dakota.