Teammate Joe Wieskamp, who contributed 20 points and 9 rebounds, agreed that it was a game loaded with “learning points.”
“For the most part, I think we did a good job offensively,” Wieskamp said. “The defensive end is where we need to improve. They were getting out in transition too much.”
Suggs, a 6-foot-4 guard who is regarded as one of the premier freshmen in the country, was the primary catalyst for a Gonzaga attack that shot 51.4{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} from the field.
Suggs, who was 2 for 6 from 3-point range in the first three games of his college career, was 7 for 10 on Saturday on his way to a career-best 27 points.
Suggs said during a 17-day layoff since the Zags’ last game, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he spent a lot of late nights alone in the gym, putting up shots.
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“Coming into the weekend, I really felt comfortable with it …,” Suggs said. “I just came out today confident and was confident throughout the game, and the shots went in.”
Drew Timme added 15 points for the Zags (4-0) with Corey Kispert and Andrew Nembhard contributing 13 apiece. Joel Ayayi chipped in with 11 points, 18 rebounds and 6 assists.
Suggs made two of his 3s during a 13-0 first half scoring run, during which Iowa missed seven straight shots.