Gonzaga Bulldogs
West Coast (32-1, 17-1)
In 2015 Gonzaga finally lived up to their expectations during the NCAA Tournament instead of just winning a game or two and bowing out gracefully when they run into a good team. The Bulldogs will hope to replicate that Elite Eight appearance. After a near perfect season in 2016-2017, they definitely have the seed and the momentum to make a run towards the Final Four.
Big Wins: 11/25 vs Florida (77-72), 12/3 vs Arizona (69-62), 2/11 at St. Mary’s (74-64)
Bad Losses: 2/25 BYU (71-79)
Coach: Mark Few
Why They Can Surprise:
Gonzaga appears to have taken the next step due to their defense. They have some shot blocking threats with Przemek Karnowski, Zach Collins and Johnathan Williams and the team as a whole has done a much better job making life difficult for opposing shooters. The frontcourt depth, which also includes freshman Killian Tillie, can do plenty of positive things offensively too. Karnowski averages 12.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and, at 7-1 and 300 pounds, is a massive force in the paint. Williams is a fine scorer too and has the range to occasionally step outside and knock down some mid-range jumpers. Collins will score a lot for a player who averages 17.1 minutes per game. The seven-foot freshman is getting better with every game and he is very good at getting to the free-throw line, and making those shots once he is there.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The four regulars on the perimeter deserve a lot of credit for the boost in defensive production too. Nigel Williams-Goss is the team’s top scorer, assist man and a very good rebounder, but he also leads the team in steals. Williams-Goss, a transfer from Washington, is one of the best slashers in the country. He can attack the basket effectively against any team. Like Williams-Goss, Josh Perkins is a solid perimeter defender. Perkins and Jordan Mathews are the team’s top three-point shooting threats, but this is not a particularly strong shooting team. Williams-Goss will get his points, but against certain competition that Gonzaga will likely run into during the NCAA Tournament, they will have to stretch the defense in order to create space for everybody else in the paint. If the opposition can close the lane and make life tough for Williams-Goss slashing to the basket and Karnowski scoring in the paint, Gonzaga will be in trouble.
Probable Starters:
Nigel Williams-Goss, Junior, Guard, 16.9 ppg, 4.8 apg, 5.7 rpg
Jordan Mathews, Senior, Guard, 10.4 ppg, 1.6 apg
Josh Perkins, Sophomore, Guard, 8.4 ppg, 3.4 apg
Johnathan Williams, Junior, Forward, 10.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Przemek Karnowski, Senior, Center, 12.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
Zach Collins, Freshman, Forward, 10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Silas Melson, Junior, Guard, 7.6 ppg, 1.5 apg
Killian Tillie, Freshman, Forward, 4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 85.2 (12th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.1 (8, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 51.7 (2, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.6 (2, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.5 (156, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.1 (50, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.4 (72, 3)
Rebound Margin: 8.0 (7, 2)
Assists Per Game: 16.3 (27, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.5 (46, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over Seton Hall
2016 NCAA Round of 32 win over Utah
2016 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Syracuse
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over North Dakota State
2015 NCAA Round of 32 win over Iowa
2015 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over UCLA
2015 NCAA Regional Final loss to Duke
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Oklahoma State
2014 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Arizona
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Southern
2013 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Wichita State
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over West Virginia
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Ohio State
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over St. Johns
2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to BYU
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Florida State
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Syracuse
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Akron
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Western Kentucky
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to North Carolina
2008 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Davidson
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Indiana
*all team stats through 3/5
