Gonzaga tries to overcome Michigan’s 40-point loss to Kentucky in Music City Madness originally appeared on Sports news. Add The Sporting News as Favorite source by clicking here.
Music City will be the place to be Friday night when number 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-1) faces No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats (5-3) at Bridgestone Arena. Both teams enter the night coming off disappointing losses as they both look to bounce back.
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Gonzaga was eliminated by Michigan in the Players Era Championship title game 101-61, which was a learning lesson for Mark Few’s team. In the loss, the Zags shot an abysmal 33.8 percent from the floor and were 3 of 22 from behind the arc.
The Bulldogs finished with two players in double figures in the loss: Tyon Grant-Foster and Braden Huff both finished with 14 points in the game. Gonzaga had no defensive answer against Michigan as the Wolverines shot 60 percent from the floor. The Bulldogs will be well rested and prepared, having not played since November 26.
Gonzaga this season is led by Braden Huff, who averages 15.8 points per game, and Graham Ike, who averages 15.0 points per game and leads the team with 7.9 rebounds per game. Tyon Grant-Foster helps spread the floor for Mark Few and is averaging 12.1 points per game and 6.3 rebounds.
Kentucky has the largest sucky contract in the country at around $22 million, but early in the season the Wildcats showed that money can’t buy wins.
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The Wildcats suffered their third loss of the season Tuesday night, falling 67-64 to North Carolina. In the loss, Kentucky struggled from behind the arc, finishing 1 of 13 from downtown, and lost the battle on the glass 41-30. The Cats were led by Otega Oweh with 16 points, Collin Chandler 12 points and Denzel Aberdeen added 10 in the loss.
Friday’s game will be Kentucky’s fourth game against a ranked opponent, with the Wildcats having lost the previous three. The Wildcats have five players averaging double figures this season, with Denzel Aberdeen leading the way with 14.5 points per game; Otega Oweh is right behind him with 13.4. Collin Chandler (11.8 ppg), Mo Dioubate (11.6 ppg) and freshman Malachi Moreno (10.3 ppg) round out the five.
For Gonzaga, their top two scorers on the season are both paint players, and the absence of Jayden Quaintance for the Cats will be a big challenge for freshman Malachi Moreno. Moreno, early in the season, showed at 7’0 and 250 pounds that he had the size and ability to compete with the best Bigs in the country. But as a freshman, look for the Zags to attack him early and often.
The Zags hit the road again with a chance for their second win of the season against a ranked opponent. Meanwhile, the Cats hope to end a three-game losing streak against ranked opponents.
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Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
