Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Three keys for the Zags’ trip to Creighton

By Brayley Crowe

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 21: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs holds up the tournament MVP trophy after the 2018 Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 21: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs holds up the tournament MVP trophy after the 2018 Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 20: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs tries. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 20: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs tries. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

Feed the Big Men

Hachimura was expected to be a menace for any of the Zags’ opponents this season, and he certainly has been one thus far. With nearly 22 ppg this season on 60% from the field, stopping the Bulldogs’ main offensive weapon has proven to be difficult. But perhaps even more disheartening for many of the Zags’ opponents is that Clarke is putting up nearly the same numbers. Through the first seven games, the former San Jose State center is averaging 15.9 ppg, and is doing so with incredible efficiency, with a 78.8% field goal percentage.

But wait, there’s more. Corey Kispert, Gonzaga’s Washington-native sophomore, and Filip Petrusev are combining to add another 18.6 ppg. Kispert has started in all seven games this season and has capabilities from both inside and deep as he began to reestablish his 3-point shooting abilities against North Dakota State, draining five of seven. Kispert continuing to find the stroke from range will force his defenders to stay honest, alleviating more space down low for any of Hachimura, Clarke, or Petrusev.

Pertrusev, the freshman via Montverde Academy, has been a success for Few’s squad coming off the bench. Averaging 15.9 mpg, Petrusev puts up 9.6 ppg with a 52.5% field goal percentage. There is little fall off between this four-man rotation (and wait until Tillie returns).

Gonzaga struggled to get the ball down low in the second half against Duke, prompting the Blue Devils’ run to diminish the Bulldogs’ lead. If Creighton can exploit this and keep Clarke and Hachimura relatively quiet, then they could give the Bulldogs some serious fits. Also, Clarke and Hachimura have looked less than impressive from the free throw line, averaging 47.8% and 66.7%, respectively.