No. 16 Alabama vs No. 3 Gonzaga: preview, TV schedule

Game Preview: No. 16 Alabama vs No. 3 Gonzaga

When: Saturday, December 4 at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN2

Location: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA

After a 2-1 showing at the ESPN Events Invitational Tournament last week, Alabama travels for a neutral-site showdown with the 2020-21 national runner-up Gonzaga.

The Crimson Tide last played on Sunday posting a dominant 96-64 win over Miami, a game in which Alabama out-scored the Hurricanes 63-34 in the second half alone. The Crimson Tide shot a phenomenal 53.6% from the field and 53.3% from three (16-for-30) in the contest, while also out-rebounding Miami 42-23.

Alabama comes into this contest ranked as the No. 16 team in the country at 6-1 overall, and are averaging 85.7 PPG offensively, while allowing 69.4 PPG to opponents. The Crimson Tide have three players averaging in double-figures led by guard Jaden Shackelford (18 PPG, 6.4 RPG), as well as eight players averaging 7+ PPG.

Gonzaga on the other hand are coming off a 64-55 win over Tarleton on Monday, a game that was surprisingly close until about five minutes remaining. While the Bulldogs did shoot 46.9% from the field in the contest, Gonzaga struggled from three-point range shooting 4-for-19, while also committing double the amount of turnovers as the Texans.

The Bulldogs are currently ranked as the No. 3 team in the country at 7-1, with Gonzaga’s lone loss coming on a neutral court to current No. 1 Duke 84-81. A Top 10 team both offensively and defensively according to KenPom, Gonzaga averages 86.8 PPG compared to allowing only 62.5 PPG, and are led by leading scorer Drew Timme (17.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG), as well as a deep roster that includes star freshman forward Chet Holmgren and guards Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton, Andrew Nembhard, and more.

Undoubtedly the toughest test yet for the Crimson Tide this season, this will be an early-season example of an opponent that you could see deep into the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide will have to play their best game of the season in what will essentially be a true road environment, as well as receive big games from the likes of Bediako, Gary, Gurley, and more to help contain the duo of Timme and Holmgren down low, making this likely Gonzaga’s game to lose.

Prediction: Alabama 72, Gonzaga 85