Gonzaga opens the 2024 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis with a matchup against West Virginia on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time in the Imperial Arena on Paradise Island, Bahamas. The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive 84-41 victory over Long Beach State, where they were led by Graham Ike and Khalif Battle, each contributing 15 points. Ryan Nembhard added 10 points and seven assists, and Gonzaga’s bench played a crucial role with 32 points, including 12 from Braden Huff and 10 from Dusty Stromer. Defensively, the Bulldogs were suffocating, limiting Long Beach State to just 31.5% shooting from the field.
One of Gonzaga’s strengths so far this season has been their performance at the free-throw line. In their win over San Diego State, the Bulldogs went 27-of-31 from the charity stripe, a remarkable 87% shooting rate. This was the first time since 2020 that Gonzaga made over 85% of their free throws with 30 or more attempts. Additionally, the team has been incredibly efficient with the ball, not trailing in their last 126 minutes of game time. This offensive efficiency is highlighted by Ryan Nembhard’s exceptional playmaking, as his 47 assists lead the nation. His 9.4 assists per game rank third nationally, and his assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.83 is the 10th best in the country.
West Virginia comes into the Battle 4 Atlantis with a 3-1 record, having defeated Iona 86-43 in their most recent game. The Mountaineers were led by Javon Small, who scored 23 points, including five three-pointers, and added five assists and four steals. Small is averaging 15.5 points per game, leading the team, and will be a key player for West Virginia. Under new head coach Darian DeVries, who previously coached at Drake, the Mountaineers are hoping to bounce back from a difficult 9-23 season last year. With a nearly entirely new roster, West Virginia will look to challenge Gonzaga with their defensive pressure and deep shooting ability.
Gonzaga has dominated the all-time series against West Virginia, holding a perfect 5-0 record. Their last meeting was in 2020, when the Bulldogs defeated the Mountaineers 87-82 in a thrilling Jimmy V Classic game. In 2017, the two teams met in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, with Gonzaga coming out on top in a tight 61-58 victory. Other meetings between the teams in 2012 and 2013 saw Gonzaga prevail in both games. This strong historical record gives the Bulldogs confidence heading into the Battle 4 Atlantis, knowing that they have consistently bested West Virginia in their previous encounters.
If Gonzaga emerges victorious over West Virginia, they will face the winner of the No. 16 Indiana vs. Louisville game in the semifinals. A loss would send them to face the non-advancing team from that game. Gonzaga has a strong track record in Thanksgiving week tournaments under head coach Mark Few, with a 46-13 record and seven tournament championships. Last season, they made it to the semifinals of the Maui Invitational before falling to Purdue. As the Bulldogs return to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis, they hope to continue their tournament success and further solidify their position as one of the top teams in the country.
