2017 National Championship: Battle of bigs to decide new champion

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) celebrates after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Gonzaga defeated South Carolina 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Can Gonzaga negate North Carolina’s advantage on the glass in the 2017 National Championship with their own size and depth?

North Carolina and Gonzaga are set to battle it out on Monday evening in Phoenix, Arizona for the 2017 National Championship. While Joel Berry II’s lack of explosion and Nigel Williams-Goss’ performance will make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, the difference in the game will likely come down to who wins the battle of the bigs.

All season long, North Carolina has had a major advantage on the glass in nearly every game they’ve played. They are the best offensive rebounding team in the country as they possess size, athleticism, depth and quickness in their front court. As evident by his 25-point, 14-rebound performance, senior Kennedy Meeks is a bull inside who is also efficient and effective. Isaiah Hicks is athletic and can run the floor like a gazelle, and Luke Maye and Tony Bradley come off the bench to provide shot making and rebounding respectively.

While very few teams can match the Tar Heels’ physicality and toughness on the interior, Gonzaga is a team that can do so.

The Bulldogs have two seven-footers (Przemek Karnowski and future lottery pick Zach Collins) and also have Johnathan Williams’ incredible defensive and Killian Tillie’s play off the pine. Mark Few’s roster has more versatility on the interior than North Carolina and while their floor spacing can get clogged with Williams on the court, they have enough talent to match them big-for-big.

And that could ultimately change the game.

Hicks can guard on the perimeter, but does he want to be chasing around Collins? When Williams is in the game, how will North Carolina deal with Karnowski? Can they double him because of his passing ability? Will they play him straight up and hope his size won’t be a factor?

And then on the other end, will Hicks have a bounce back game? How about Maye? And will Meeks be able to dominate like he did against Oregon?

Next: Three takeaways from Gonzaga's thrilling win over SC

There are a lot of unknowns heading into Monday evening, however, one thing is for sure: the team that wins the battle of the bigs will have the upper hand. And that team will likely be cutting down the nets at the end of the evening.

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