IUPUI @ Gonzaga preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2010 ) Indiana - Purdue 56, Gonzaga 86

Gonzaga doesn't have to wait long to get the bad taste out of its mouth after a much closer-than-expected home win over North Dakota on Saturday. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs, who needed overtime to put away the 30-point underdog Fighting Hawks, host IUPUI on Monday night.

Gonzaga coach Mark Few wasn't happy with his team's effort in the win over North Dakota, which forced the game into overtime on a 3-pointer by guard Geno Crandall with two seconds left. The Zags started overtime on an 11-0 run to squash any fears of a major upset. "We had a couple of guys that had some fight in them, that finally made some plays and turned up the heat and the Kennel got going," Few told the Spokane Spokesman-Review. "We were lucky that game was at home." IUPUI brings a five-game losing streak into the contest including a 72-59 setback at Washington State on Saturday, so things could get ugly quickly against a more motivated Gonzaga squad.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ROOT

ABOUT IUPUI (2-7): The Jaguars have just one win over a Division I team, defeating Morehead State, 67-61, back on Nov. 21 in Indianapolis. Senior forward Aaron Brennan leads the team in scoring (12.9) but managed just six points and was 0-for-4 from 3-point range in 30 minutes in the loss at Washington State. Senior guard Ron Patterson also is averaging in double figures (11.4) and had a team high 19 points in Saturday's loss to the Cougars.

ABOUT GONZAGA (9-2): The Bulldogs rank sixth nationally in scoring offense (91.0) and have five players averaging in double digits led by versatile 6-9 senior forward Johnathan Williams (15.4) who also leads the team in rebounding (6.6). Junior guard Josh Perkins (14.9) and freshman guard Zach Norvell Jr. (12.9) combined for 39 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 steals in the win over North Dakota. Sophomore forward Killian Tillie (11.5) and senior guard Silas Melson (11.0) are the other Zags averaging double figures.

TIP-INS

1. Perkins is shooting 50.0 percent from 3-point range (36-of-72) which ranks 16th nationally.

2. Gonzaga finished with an 18-3 advantage in offensive rebounds against North Dakota and a 22-0 edge in second chance points.

3. The Zags are 184-17 at home since the McCarthy Athletic Center opened in 2004.

PREDICTION: Gonzaga 97, IUPUI 68