No. 3 Gonzaga faces tough test vs No. 16 Bama

Published Dec. 3, 2021 7:31 a.m. ET

Associated Press

No. 16 Alabama (6-1) vs. No. 3 Gonzaga (7-1)

Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: No. 16 Alabama presents a tough challenge for No. 3 Gonzaga. Gonzaga has won two of its three games against ranked opponents this season. Alabama blew out Miami by 32 on Sunday.

STEPPING UP: Gonzaga's Drew Timme has averaged 17.4 points and 5.8 rebounds while Chet Holmgren has put up 13.8 points, seven rebounds and 3.6 blocks. For the Crimson Tide, Jaden Shackelford has averaged 18 points and 6.4 rebounds while Keon Ellis has put up 13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds.SHACKELFORD CAN SHOOT: Shackelford has connected on 39.1 percent of the 64 3-pointers he's attempted and has gone 11 for 25 over the last three games. He's also converted 65 percent of his foul shots this season.

ACCOUNTING FOR ASSISTS: The Bulldogs have recently converted baskets via assists more often than the Crimson Tide. Gonzaga has 42 assists on 85 field goals (49.4 percent) across its previous three outings while Alabama has assists on 40 of 93 field goals (43 percent) during its past three games.

DID YOU KNOW: Both Alabama and Gonzaga are ranked at the top of Division 1 in terms of scoring. The Crimson Tide are ranked 10th in the country with 85.7 points per game while the Bulldogs are eighth with 86.8 per game.

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