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Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren posts historic stat line in March Madness debut

By Scott Rogust

PROVO, UT - FEBRUARY 5: Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs warms up before their game against the BYU Cougars February 5, 2022 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - FEBRUARY 5: Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs warms up before their game against the BYU Cougars February 5, 2022 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Gonzaga Bulldogs star Chet Holmgren had a historic NCAA Tournament debut against the Georgia State Panthers.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are once against the No. 1 seed entering the NCAA Tournament, but this is the year they are hoping that they can finally win the NCAA Championship. They fell to Baylor in the Finals last year, but this is a totally different season because now, they have Chet Holmgren, the top recruit in the entire Class of 2021.

Holmgren made his debut for the Bulldogs in their opening round matchup against the Georgia State Panthers on Thursday. Even though it was 35-33 at halftime, Gonzaga pulled away for the huge 93-72 victory.

The 7-foot center recorded 19 points, 17 rebounds, seven blocks, five assists and two steals in his very first NCAA Tournament game.

Gonzaga: Chet Holmgren makes history in NCAA Tournament debut

Holmgren’s stat line is special, because he is the only player to record more than 15 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five blocks in an NCAA Tournament game. Holmgren accomplished this, since blocks were recorded as an official stat in 1986, per CBS Sports.

Entering the tournament, the freshman star averaged 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 1.8 assists while shooting 61.0-percent from the field and 41.2-percent from the three-point line.

Holmgren scored his 19 points while shooting 8-for-13 from the field.

The freshman star is not the only player on Gonzaga’s roster to record a double-double. Junior Drew Timme recorded 32 points (13-for-21 from field, 6-for-13 from free-throw line) and 13 rebounds.

Holmgren has the chance to put up another strong performance in the second round, when Gonzaga takes on the No. 9 Memphis Tigers on Saturday, March 19. Memphis defeated the Boise State Broncos 64-53.

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