Gonzaga Bulldogs
WCC (30-4, 17, 1)
Gonzaga was expected to get a lot of competition from Saint Mary’s this season and perhaps finish second in the WCC for just the second time since 2000. But the Bulldogs managed to split with the Gaels and take care of business against everybody else, finishing 17-1 in conference play. But this program has higher hopes than winning the WCC; they want to make it back to the Final Four.
Big Wins: 11/24 vs Ohio State (86-59), 11/26 vs Texas (76-71), 12/1 Creighton (91-74)
Bad Losses: 11/24 vs Florida (105-111), 12/21 at San Diego State (70-72), 1/18 St. Mary’s (71-74)
Coach: Mark Few
Why They Can Surprise:
This high scoring offense can attack from so many different areas. Johnathan Williams and Killian Tillie are the frontcourt scoring threats. Both are threats to shoot from outside, especially Tillie, but those are two tough interior scorers. They also a huge reason why the Bulldogs are one of the best rebounding teams in the country. Rui Hachimura has had a very good sophomore season and adds great depth to the frontcourt, especially when it comes to scoring. Josh Perkins is the leader of the backcourt and the guy that makes this team go. The junior point guard averages 12.4 points and 5.4 assists. He is a prolific and consistent three-point shooter, but also very good at getting to the basket and finishing or finding one of his teammates. Zach Norvell and Silas Melson are all capable of having big scoring outputs. They are both decent outside shooters and consistent double-digit scorers.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The usual concern for Gonzaga heading into the NCAA Tournament is how much they have been tested lately. The Bulldogs often cruise through the WCC, getting a couple tough games along the way against Saint Mary’s and BYU. It has been a while since they played an NCAA Tournament quality team besides the Gaels. But lately that has not been much of a concern for Coach Mark Few and company. Gonzaga gets the job done anyway. The biggest concern for this group is at the three-point line. The three-point defense has not been great and Perkins is really the only player shooting a healthy percentage from beyond the arc. That is what happened during the Bulldogs regular season loss to Saint Mary’s. Gonzaga shot 6-of-22 from beyond the arc, while the Gaels hit 8-of-13. That was enough to get the job done and something similar could happen in the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Josh Perkins, Junior, Guard, 12.4 ppg, 5.4 apg
Silas Melson, Senior, Guard, 9.5 ppg, 2.4 apg
Zach Norvell, Freshman, Guard, 12.2 ppg, 2.4 apg, 3.6 rpg
Johnathan Williams, Senior, Forward, 13.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Killian Tillie, Sophomore, Forward, 13.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
Rui Hachimura, Sophomore, Forward, 11.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Corey Kispert, Freshman, Forward, 6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Jacob Larsen, Freshman, Center, 3.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 84.7 (9th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.8 (59, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.3 (7, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.8 (24, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.0 (66, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.9 (85, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.9 (148, 5)
Rebound Margin: 9.2 (5, 1)
Assists Per Game: 15.8 (50, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.4 (42, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over South Dakota State
2017 NCAA Round of 32 win over Northwestern
2017 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over West Virginia
2017 NCAA Regional Final win over Xavier
2017 NCAA National Semifinal win over South Carolina
2017 NCAA National Final loss to North Carolina
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
*all team stats through 3/4
