Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Five pros and cons of picking the Zags to another Final Four

By Connor Hope

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Gonzaga Bulldogs players huddle on the court before the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Gonzaga Bulldogs players huddle on the court before the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WA – FEBRUARY 17: Kameron Edwards /

Why They Will: Free Throws

This may be confusing, as the Zags 72% free throw shooting ranks 138th in the country, but what we are talking about here is individual players that can ice the game if needed. The Zags have

Of the Zags regular players, three of them average over 82% from the line: Zach Norvell, Rui Hachimura, and Silas Melson. If the Zags have a lead down the stretch, look for one of these players to get the ball once the opponent starts fouling.

This comes with a caveat, however, as Johnathan Williams could spell doom for the Zags if he is the one at the stripe. Williams shoots just 56% from the free throw line, pulling the Zags team percentage down, and if he gets there, teams will definitely have a shot at coming back.

In the end, however, the Zags have three players that can make free throws at a high rate, with Josh Perkins and Tillie each making key free throws in the past.