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Gonzaga hasn’t faced much difficulty in cruising to its best start in three seasons.
It’s upcoming schedule, however, likely will provide much more of a challenge.
The 19th-ranked Bulldogs seek a fifth consecutive victory as they host Notre Dame on Wednesday night.
Gonzaga (4-0), off to its best start since opening 7-0 in 2008-09, shot a season-high 52.6 percent from the floor during Saturday’s 78-58 victory over winless Western Michigan. Four players scored in double figures - including centers Robert Sacre and Sam Dower, who each scored 15 points.
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While the Bulldogs have outscored opponents by an average of 13.8 points during their run, those overmatched foes have a combined 7-14 record. They seem all but certain to face a considerably stiffer test during their upcoming slate of games, starting with the Irish (5-2) in this one.
“All we’ve got to do is win,” guard Mike Hart said. “We may not be the prettiest, but we don’t have to be good looking.”
Gonzaga, which fell 83-79 at then-No. 23 Notre Dame on Dec. 11 in its only meeting in this series, visits Illinois on Saturday before facing Michigan State on Dec. 10.
After suffering back-to-back defeats to then-No. 21 Missouri and Georgia last week, the Irish regrouped Sunday with an 84-59 win over Bryant - their first game since losing co-captain Tim Abromaitis for the season.
Abromaitis, averaging 14.0 points, suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in practice two days earlier.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves now that Tim is down, but we still have to play,” said sophomore Eric Atkins, who leads the team with 15.4 points per contest. “While everyone may count us out, we just need to keep playing and give it our best shot.”
With Abromaitis sidelined and fellow forward Jack Cooley under the weather, Notre Dame’s five-guard starting lineup went a combined 8 of 15 (53.3 percent) from 3-point range. Jerian Grant recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Atkins had 18 points and a career-best nine assists.
“It was good to see us shoot it good, feel good, pass it and play how we play,” coach Mike Brey said. “… I think that is going to help us. The way our team is starting to come together especially without Abromaitis.
“Eric Atkins is healthy. We need him and it was good to see him back in the flow. For us we certainly needed to feel good about ourselves, because we have a heck of a challenge on Wednesday night.”
While Notre Dame, averaging just 10.4 turnovers, has taken pretty good care of the basketball, it will likely have its hands full against Gonzaga. The Bulldogs have forced 45 miscues over their last two games.
Notre Dame had won seven straight versus ranked opponents before dropping its most recent two. The Irish have taken three of four road matchups versus Top 25 teams.
Gonzaga has won 27 of 30 at home - including six in a row by 18.2 points per game
It’s upcoming schedule, however, likely will provide much more of a challenge.
The 19th-ranked Bulldogs seek a fifth consecutive victory as they host Notre Dame on Wednesday night.
Gonzaga (4-0), off to its best start since opening 7-0 in 2008-09, shot a season-high 52.6 percent from the floor during Saturday’s 78-58 victory over winless Western Michigan. Four players scored in double figures - including centers Robert Sacre and Sam Dower, who each scored 15 points.
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While the Bulldogs have outscored opponents by an average of 13.8 points during their run, those overmatched foes have a combined 7-14 record. They seem all but certain to face a considerably stiffer test during their upcoming slate of games, starting with the Irish (5-2) in this one.
“All we’ve got to do is win,” guard Mike Hart said. “We may not be the prettiest, but we don’t have to be good looking.”
Gonzaga, which fell 83-79 at then-No. 23 Notre Dame on Dec. 11 in its only meeting in this series, visits Illinois on Saturday before facing Michigan State on Dec. 10.
After suffering back-to-back defeats to then-No. 21 Missouri and Georgia last week, the Irish regrouped Sunday with an 84-59 win over Bryant - their first game since losing co-captain Tim Abromaitis for the season.
Abromaitis, averaging 14.0 points, suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in practice two days earlier.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves now that Tim is down, but we still have to play,” said sophomore Eric Atkins, who leads the team with 15.4 points per contest. “While everyone may count us out, we just need to keep playing and give it our best shot.”
With Abromaitis sidelined and fellow forward Jack Cooley under the weather, Notre Dame’s five-guard starting lineup went a combined 8 of 15 (53.3 percent) from 3-point range. Jerian Grant recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Atkins had 18 points and a career-best nine assists.
“It was good to see us shoot it good, feel good, pass it and play how we play,” coach Mike Brey said. “… I think that is going to help us. The way our team is starting to come together especially without Abromaitis.
“Eric Atkins is healthy. We need him and it was good to see him back in the flow. For us we certainly needed to feel good about ourselves, because we have a heck of a challenge on Wednesday night.”
While Notre Dame, averaging just 10.4 turnovers, has taken pretty good care of the basketball, it will likely have its hands full against Gonzaga. The Bulldogs have forced 45 miscues over their last two games.
Notre Dame had won seven straight versus ranked opponents before dropping its most recent two. The Irish have taken three of four road matchups versus Top 25 teams.
Gonzaga has won 27 of 30 at home - including six in a row by 18.2 points per game
