MBB Faces Redhawks in Seattle Showdown

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will face the Seattle Redhawks in a key West Coast Conference (WCC) matchup on January 17 at 7 p.m. PT. This game will take place at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. It marks the 73rd overall encounter between these two long-time rivals.

Gonzaga’s Impressive Streak

Ranked #9 in the nation, Gonzaga boasts an impressive 18-1 record and is undefeated in WCC play at 6-0. This game will be an opportunity for the Bulldogs to extend their winning streak to 12 games after a recent 86-65 victory over Washington State. Graham Ike was a standout in that game, contributing 23 points and 11 rebounds, marking his 11th double-double of the season.

• Gonzaga’s previous game vs. Seattle ended in an 80-72 overtime victory for the Zags.
• The Bulldogs have a solid offensive and defensive performance, ranking 5th in offense and 12th in defense according to KenPom.
• Gonzaga averages 48.6 points in the paint, leading all NCAA teams.

Player Highlights

Graham Ike is not only the team’s leading scorer but also sits fourth in the nation for double-doubles this season. With 2,284 career points, he also leads active NCAA players. Other significant contributors include Adam Miller and Jalen Warley, who scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, in their last game. The Zags lead the WCC in several categories, including assists per game and field goal percentage.

Scouting the Redhawks

The Seattle Redhawks have a 13-6 record, with a WCC record of 2-4. They recently broke a three-game losing streak by defeating San Diego 75-64 at home. Junseok Yeo led with 18 points while Braydon Maldonado added a solid 16 points. Seattle’s defense is notable, leading the WCC and ranking 17th nationally in blocks at an average of 5.3 per game.

• Top scorer Braydon Maldonado averages 15.1 points per game.
• Will Heimbrodt is recognized for his defensive skills, leading the WCC in blocks.
• Seattle’s field goal percentage defense ranks second in the conference.

Series History

Historically, Seattle leads the series 50-22. However, in their previous encounter this season, Gonzaga managed to come back from a 13-point deficit to secure their overtime victory. This rivalry has intensified, as it was the first matchup in 36 years.

Looking Ahead

The Bulldogs will continue their schedule with a game against Pepperdine on January 24. Gonzaga maintains a remarkable record of 70-31 against Pepperdine, underscoring their historical dominance in WCC play.

As the Zags prepare for this Seattle showdown, fans can expect a thrilling matchup that highlights the best of WCC basketball.