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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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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 05: Corey Kispert
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 05: Corey Kispert /

Why They Won’t: Depth

I am not saying the Zags are the thinnest team, not by a long shot, but they have just seven players getting regular minutes this season. Sure, Jeremy Jones and Jacob Larsen will certainly see playing time, but only in short spurts on the defensive end.

As was the case last season, if any player gets into foul trouble for the Zags, their rotation will be stretched and fatigue will begin to play a factor. Their only saving grace is the fact that they have become vastly improved in avoiding fouls over the course of the season.

In fact, while Gonzaga had players foul out 10 times in 13 non-conference games, that number dropped to just three foul-outs 21 WCC matchups. The Zags total fouls dropped from 23.4 per game in the non-conference to 17 per game in WCC play.

While depth has become less of an issue with the Zags healthy and avoiding foul trouble, it could reemerge as an issue if the Zags make mistakes under pressure.