Gonzaga looks to continue run vs. fan favorite Northwestern

Published March 17, 2017

Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) moves the ball down court after stealing it from South Dakota State forward Mike Daum, right, during the first half of a first-round men's college basketball in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) No. 1 seed Gonzaga (33-1) vs. No. 8 Northwestern (24-11)

Second round, West Region; Salt Lake City; 5:15 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Northwestern is playing with house money. The Wildcats advanced to the tournament for the first time and even won a game. Gonzaga, on the other hand, was expected to be here and expected to go much further. Northwestern will have to overcome Gonzaga's significant size advantage.

FAN FAVORITE: Gonzaga is prepared for the arena to feel like a road game after Northwestern fans took over Vivint Arena on Thursday. The Wildcats brought a massive following to Salt Lake City for their first tournament appearance, including former NBA coach Doug Collins and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Collins' son Chris coaches Northwestern and Louis-Dreyfus' son Charlie Hall is a reserve.

INSIDE OUT: Gonzaga features the one-two punch of point guard Nigel Williams-Goss and center Przemek Karnowski. Williams-Goss is a finalist for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year award and is averaging 19 points per game in the last five games. The 7-foot-1, 300-pound Karnowski averages 12.5 points and is an adept passer out of the post.

GUARD HEAVY: Northwestern will need guards Bryant McIntosh and Scottie Lindsey to continue to lead, especially being at such a size disadvantage. McIntosh scored 25 in the opening-round victory and Lindsey added 14.

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