SEATTLE – If Gonzaga’s historical past in opposition to UCLA tells us something, it’s that the victor will most likely want contributions from a handful of candidates at totally different spots and maybe some well timed magic from a single participant keen to rise to the event within the second half.
If the eighth-ranked Zags and Twenty fifth-ranked Bruins discover themselves tousled in one other shut recreation Saturday at Local weather Pledge Area (8:30 p.m., ESPN), there’s likelihood the lead guards may have a say in how issues play out down the stretch, even when they aren’t hoisting the ultimate shot.
The best way Mario Saint-Supery is taking pictures of late, Gonzaga’s rising freshman wouldn’t be a foul candidate for that position, too.
UCLA’s Donovan Dent hasn’t been connecting on the similar clip he did final yr, however the Bruins most likely need the New Mexico switch concerned in some type or vogue if it comes right down to a ultimate possession Saturday night time between two West Coast hoops heavyweights.
At some extent of the offseason when nationwide pundits have been transferring Dent’s title to the highest of “greatest accessible” switch goal lists, just about no one within the faculty basketball ecosystem knew about Saint-Supery, exterior of a small group of scouts/analysts plugged in with worldwide basketball traits and an excellent smaller group of Gonzaga followers who sustain with this system’s recruiting efforts.
Dent’s counting numbers (12.4 factors, 6.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds) look barely higher than Saint-Supery’s (8.8 factors, 5.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds) via six weeks, largely as a result of the Bruins are counting on the 2025 AP All-American honorable point out to play 32.8 minutes per recreation. The Zags, in the meantime, have two high quality choices at level guard and normally aren’t liable to shedding floor when Braeden Smith replaces Saint-Supery (21.7 mpg).
Saint-Supery has been on level for Gonzaga, main Mark Few’s workforce at 53.6% from distance whereas taking 15 extra 3-point makes an attempt than his UCLA counterpart. The Malaga, Spain, native has averaged 6.3 assists and only one.8 turnovers since becoming a member of the beginning lineup in opposition to Southern Utah.
“Clearly we’re going to face each workforce the identical approach, we’re going to go 100% all the time, however taking part in in opposition to these historic faculties (like UCLA and Kentucky) is one thing wonderful,” Saint-Supery mentioned. “It makes me much more excited.”
Dent has been off-target for UCLA, making simply 1 of 13 (7.7%) from the 3-point line this season after hitting 40.9% for the Lobos in 2024-25. He hasn’t made a 3 because the season opener in opposition to Japanese Washington, however accounted for 30 factors and 11 assists in Large Ten wins over Washington and Oregon.
“In faculty, it’s bodily and that’s what individuals attempt to do is beat (Dent) up,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin mentioned. “That’s the sport plan. All people has the identical recreation plan. … However we’re 2-0 within the Large Ten, he had two actually good video games, led us to victory. His management, I believe he’s solely going to maintain getting higher. He’s simply obtained to maintain working in apply, giving me what I want from him in apply and he’ll proceed to enhance.”
Dent’s a lightning-quick guard with a formidable first step, elite dribbling abilities and stable means to complete across the basket. He’s been impacted by stomach and lower-body accidents this season, however ought to be at full power Saturday in keeping with Cronin.
Saint-Supery will look to get Dent out of his consolation zone Saturday and maybe dare him to shoot from the 3-point line – one of many lowest-percentage pictures the Bruins can take proper now. On the opposite finish, Dent might attempt to use his footspeed to get round Saint-Supery or bait him into foul hassle – one thing that got here into play for the guard early in opposition to Kentucky.
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