Fansided

College basketball week 3: 5 biggest takeaways

By Chris Stone

Nov 22, 2016; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) drives to the basket against Georgetown Hoyas guard Rodney Pryor (23) during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2016; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) drives to the basket against Georgetown Hoyas guard Rodney Pryor (23) during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2015; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) looks to shoot as Connecticut Huskies center Amida Brimah (35) defends in the first half during the 2015 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) looks to shoot as Connecticut Huskies center Amida Brimah (35) defends in the first half during the 2015 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Gonzaga is once again a Final Four contender

Gonzaga won the Advocare Invitational on Sunday afternoon for the third time by knocking off Iowa State in a thrilling finale. The Bulldogs also took down one of the SEC’s best in Florida in the process. While he may have plenty of Advocare Invitational titles, the one thing lacking from Gonzaga head coach Mark Few’s resume is a trip to the Final Four. After several near misses, the Bulldogs once again look capable of making the final weekend of the college basketball season.

The team has a balanced attack that features five different players scoring in doubles figures, but the return of a healthy Przemek Karnowski gives the Zags’ offense a unique dimension. Karnowski is a very good passer from the post and his size often forces double teams that leave shooters open along the perimeter. That’s a dangerous combination when you consider that the Bulldogs have made nearly 40 percent of their triples this season.

Through six games, Karnowski is dishing out an assist on 22.8 percent of Gonzaga’s made shots when he’s on the floor. For perspective, that’s a higher mark than any player on Duke’s roster and makes him just one of three centers who have played more than 100 minutes this year to have a better than 20 percent assist rate. Having that kind of vision in the post can help open up an offense and is one of the reasons Gonzaga looks like a Final Four contender.