Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Nicholls Colonels Picks and Predictions December 18th 2024

No. 13 Gonzaga Looks to End Rare Skid Against Nicholls

No. 13 Gonzaga finds itself in unfamiliar territory, having dropped consecutive games for the first time since 2018. The Bulldogs (7-3) will aim to end their brief slide when they host Nicholls (7-4) on Wednesday night in Spokane, Wash.

Gonzaga Aims to Rebound at Home

Gonzaga’s back-to-back losses to Kentucky (90-89 in overtime) and UConn (77-71) highlighted both the Bulldogs’ potential and areas of concern. Against UConn, foul trouble plagued star big man Graham Ike, who managed just three points and zero rebounds in 12 minutes after posting a dominant 28-point, 11-rebound performance against Kentucky.

Head coach Mark Few acknowledged the physicality of the UConn game:

“Just the way the game was. It was a physical, hard-fought game,” Few said, while also pointing out Gonzaga’s missed opportunities: “Yeah, we missed some shots we’ll make. The ones at the rim, I think we’ll make a very, very high percentage of those.”

Despite the struggles, Gonzaga has shown flashes of elite play. Khalif Battle led the Bulldogs against UConn with 21 points, extending his streak of made free throws to 35 before narrowly missing late. Battle leads the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game, followed closely by Ike (14.1).

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The Bulldogs also benefit from Ryan Nembhard, who leads the nation with an impressive 10.3 assists per game. His ability to create opportunities for teammates—103 assists against just 17 turnovers—has been a bright spot for Gonzaga’s offense.

Wednesday’s matchup will be Gonzaga’s first home game since Nov. 20, a stretch that saw them play marquee games on the road. The return to The Kennel gives the Bulldogs a chance to reset and reestablish their dominance.

Nicholls: Riding Momentum but Facing a Test

Nicholls arrives in Spokane riding a five-game winning streak, including a 110-66 blowout win over Southern-New Orleans on Dec. 10. However, this game represents the Colonels’ toughest challenge since lopsided losses to New Mexico and Cincinnati earlier this season.

Head coach Tevon Saddler, now in his second season, has instilled belief in his team:

“I think we have a chance to be very, very special. I’m always ready to work, and I think special things are on the way.”

The Colonels boast a balanced scoring attack, led by:

• Byron Ireland: 13.2 points per game
• Robert Brown III: 11.4 points per game (season-high 28 points vs. Southern-New Orleans)
• Jamal West Jr.: 10.4 points per game

Sincere Malone, who scored a career-best 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting off the bench in their last game, adds depth and energy for Nicholls.

While Nicholls has been competitive against mid-level competition, its 86-49 loss to Cincinnati in November underscored the challenge of facing high-caliber opponents like Gonzaga.

Key Matchup: Graham Ike vs. Nicholls’ Interior Defense

If Graham Ike can stay out of foul trouble, his size and physicality will likely be too much for Nicholls to handle. Gonzaga will look to exploit the mismatch down low, forcing Nicholls to collapse defensively and open up perimeter opportunities for Khalif Battle and Nolan Hickman.

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For Nicholls, the focus will be on slowing down Gonzaga’s transition game and forcing contested shots. The Colonels must capitalize on offensive possessions, as Gonzaga will likely dominate the rebounding battle.

What’s at Stake

For Gonzaga, this game is about regaining confidence and putting an end to its rare losing streak. With high expectations surrounding the program, a convincing win at home will help reestablish their rhythm ahead of more challenging matchups.

For Nicholls, a competitive showing against a top-15 team would be a significant statement and a confidence boost for the Colonels as they prepare for Southland Conference play.

The Bottom Line

Gonzaga enters this matchup as the heavy favorite, looking to bounce back with a dominant performance at home. While Nicholls has momentum from its five-game winning streak, the Colonels will face an uphill battle against a talented and motivated Bulldogs squad.

Expect Gonzaga to lean on Graham Ike in the paint, Ryan Nembhard to control the tempo, and Khalif Battle to provide scoring firepower as they look to snap their skid in front of their home crowd.