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BASKETBALL

Gonzaga Remains In The Top Spot, Week 9 Of The AP Top 25 Poll

For the second straight week Gonzaga out of the West Coast Conference leads the way as they’re in the top spot of the AP Top 25 poll.

How did they get to remain there?

They haven’t lost since losing to Michigan in Paradise Island on November 29th as they’ve reeled off five straight wins including victories over Texas Southern, Washington, Arizona, North Carolina and Eastern Washington but they have yet to play game since returning from Christmas.

However, Gonzaga will closeout their non-conference slate when they host Detroit Mercy tonight in Spokane Washington.

Coming into their game against Detroit Mercy Gonzaga has a record of 13-1 and won their previous game on December 21st against Eastern Washington.

Coach Mark Few of No. 2 Gonzaga has a thought on how to prevent so many No. 1 teams from losing this season. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
While there is a good chance Gonzaga will rise to No. 1 after pounding Eastern Washington 112-77 on Saturday, Few is looking forward to a week-long break and then a return to action. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
"'I don't think they should do polls until March, ″ Few said. "It's an effort in futility.'" “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
No. 1 Kansas lost to No. 18 Villanova 56-55 earlier Saturday. That gave Gonzaga a chance at attaining the top spot on Monday. Gonzaga has reached No. 1 several times in recent years, including twice last season.”according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
″'They just need to hit the next challenge coming down the road," Few said. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
At the same time, he is proud the Zags have only one loss given their stiff nonconference schedule.”according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
"This is as good a run as we've been on," Few said. "It's been an amazing three weeks: tough game, tough game, tough game. We need a break." “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
Filip Petrusev had 24 points and nine rebounds to help Gonzaga clear a path to the top of the rankings.”according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
Admon Gilder scored 22 points and Ryan Woolridge added 15 points for Gonzaga (13-1), which has won five straight games since falling to Michigan in the title game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Zags have won 30 straight home games, the longest streak in the nation. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
Jacob Davison scored 17 points and Tyler Kidd added 16 for Eastern Washington (7-4), which came in ranked first in the nation in scoring at 90.7 points per game. But the Eagles could not handle Gonzaga's size. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
This one was over early. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
With the score tied at 6, Gonzaga went on an 23-3 run early in the first for a 29-9 lead. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
The lead grew to 34-11, at which point taller Gonzaga had a 22-8 advantage on points in the paint.”according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
Gonzaga led 64-33 at halftime, after holding Eastern Washington to 35.5% shooting and dominating the rebounding 30-13. Gonzaga shot 52% in the first and had five players in double figures by intermission.”according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
"We weren't ready from the Eastern Washington coach Shantay Legans said. "Our game plan didn't work tonight"“according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
Eastern Washington shot much better in the second half and had a 7-0 run to cut Gonzaga's lead to 78-57 with just over 11 minutes left.”according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
But the Zags managed to keep the lead above 20 points the rest of the way.”according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
″In the second half our team did a great job of fighting." Legans said.”according to
 
TWO HALVES
 
The Eagles were outscored by 31 points in the first half, but by only four points in the second. "We just got beat up too early, too fast," Eastern's Mason Peatling said. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx
 
BOARD BATTLE
 
Gonzaga won the rebound battle 49-34.
 
FREE THROW FIGHT
 
Gonzaga made 30 of 40 free throws in the sloppy game. Eastern Washington made 13 of 22 from the line. “according to https://gozags.com/news/2019/12/21/mens-basketball-no-2-gonzaga-pounds-eastern-washington-112-77-eyes-no-1.aspx

As for the rest of the AP Top 25 poll,

It looks like this.

  1. Gonzaga

  2. Duke

  3. Kansas

  4. Oregon

  5. Ohio State

  6. Baylor

  7. Louisville

  8. Auburn

  9. Memphis

  10. Villanova

  11. Butler

  12. Michigan

  13. San Diego State

  14. Michigan State

  15. Maryland

  16. West Virginia

  17. Kentucky

  18. Florida State

  19. Virginia

  20. Dayton

  21. Penn State

  22. Texas Tech

  23. Iowa

  24. Wichita State

  25. Arizona