Gonzaga basketball: Bulldogs are still a championship contender

The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee bypassed Gonzaga in its initial top-16 list. However, the Bulldogs are still a legitimate National Championship contender.

Gonzaga avenged its only WCC loss with a resounding win. The Bulldogs beat St. Mary’s 78-65 in the Gaels’ home gym. Despite what the final score indicates, Gonzaga dominated its rival in the rematch.

The Zags overpowered the Gaels in the paint and completely erased St. Mary’s star big man, Jock Landale. The Zags frustrated Landale and held him to four points on four shot attempts.

Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s big men were excellent, especially Rui Hachimura who led all scorers with 21 points. Hachimura and Johnathan Williams (12 points, 11 rebounds) owned the paint and consistently caused problems for an undersized St. Mary’s team. Furthermore, the entire Bulldogs squad wreaked havoc on the offensive glass as they amassed 14 offensive rebounds.

In addition to the Zags’ impressive frontcourt play, their backcourt was excellent. Point guard Josh Perkins facilitated the halfcourt offense (5 assists) and also created his own scoring chances (13 points). His backcourt mate Zach Norvell Jr. contributed 17 points and stretched the defense with his long-range shooting (3-6 on 3FG).

Gonzaga’s inside-out game is a potent combination that will be a nightmare for opponents in the tournament. The Bulldogs can also lock down on defense and their length and athleticism can cause problems for undersized foes. The Zags controlled the tempo and imposed their fast-paced style onto the methodical Gaels.

If opponents allow this team to control the pace and turn games into track meets, they will likely find themselves in a difficult situation. The key to beating this Bulldogs team is to limit the number of possessions and neutralize their athletic advantage. Unfortunately for opponents, this task is easier said than done.

Next: Breaking down the Bracket preview

Although the committee may not view Gonzaga as a top-16 team right now, the Bulldogs stated their case as a contender in their win at St. Mary’s. Beware of the ‘dogs in March.