Gonzaga-Fairleigh Dickinson key matchup: Darnell Edge paces Knights’ talented backcourt

Gonzaga’s top priority will be defending Fairleigh Dickinson’s backcourt, specifically senior guard Darnell Edge.

The 6-foot-2 Edge broke the career high he set just more than a month ago with 33 points in Tuesday’s 82-76 First Four win over Prairie View A&M. Edge is a prolific shooter, ranking third nationally at 48.4 percent on 3-pointers after draining 7 of 9 versus the Panthers.

Edge has made at least 90 percent of his free-throw attempts each of the past four seasons. He hasn’t missed a free throw in the Knights’ past 16 games. He rarely leaves the floor (37.1 minutes per game). He’s averaging 16.9 points and 2.4 assists.

Gonzaga’s 3-point defense has been strong most of the season, ranking 27th nationally, but it did yield 14 threes to Creighton, 12 to Tennessee and 13 to North Carolina in a rough two-week stretch.

Zach Norvell Jr. will probably draw the starting assignment on Edge, with point guard Josh Perkins likely on FDU’s Jahlil Jenkins, who can score (13.8) and distribute (4.6 assists).