Gonzaga vs. Illinois: Key storylines to watch for the Maui Invitational matchup

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 22: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts in the first half while taking on the Florida State Seminoles in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: Kipper Nichols #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Size disparity between the teams

With Tillie absent, along with the early departure of sophomore center Jacob Larsen, Gonzaga’s frontcourt took a hit. However, it wasn’t as big of one that Illinois has gone through in the summer.

From last season, the Illini lost both of their starting frontcourt players (Leron Black and Michael Finke). They’ve had to start over but ran into issues as well. Kent State grad transfer Adonis De La Rosa is still recovering from off-season surgery, while 7’0 freshman center Samba Kane is behind after being held out in the summer for academic issues.

That leaves freshman big man Giorgi Bezhanishvili, who’s averaging 9.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg so far. He along with undersized forward Kipper Nichols forms Illinois’ frontcourt – and much of its depth. That’ll be a big problem versus most power conference teams and Gonzaga, who has players such as Rui Hachimura (22.7 ppg) and Brandon Clarke to take advantage of.

This is also a good way for the Bulldogs to continue incorporating Filip Petrusev into the rotation as the primary backup big in Tillie’s place. The freshman forward is averaging 12.0 ppg while making half of his shots. With Tillie expecting to be out for the Maui, UNC, Tennessee and Washington games, Petrusev’s emergence is important for Gonzaga to build a resume good for a No. 1 seed.

The Illini also can struggle on the boards and will have to utilize small-ball to find some advantageous matchups for themselves. If not, the Bulldogs will terrorize them for 40 minutes.

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