Gonzaga vs. Tennessee: Storylines to watch in top-10 matchup

Frontcourt matchups

The front courts featured on Sunday are among the best in the country. Expectedly, Tennessee’s Grant Williams has been one of the most dominant players in the country, as the junior posts 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Williams, the early favorite for SEC Player of the Year, shoots over 59 percent from the floor while adding 1.6 blocks per contest.

But Williams isn’t doing all the work down low–senior Kyle Alexander has emerged as a post threat in his first year as a starter for the Vols. The Canadian is averaging north of 10 points per contest (67 percent from the field) as well as seven rebounds and two blocks per night.

Tennessee is clearly loaded with talent in its frontcourt, and yet Gonzaga has a far better forward rotation. Rui Hachimura is undoubtedly one of college basketball’s most exciting players, as the Japan native is averaging 22.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. Through the first month of the young season, Hachimura might just be the player of the year. Brandon Clarke, a San Jose State transfer, is another very important piece for Mark Few. The junior posts 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per night while shooting a stunning 72 percent from the floor.

Not only do the Bulldogs have star power in its frontcourt, but it also has depth. Sophomore Corey Kispert (9.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG) and freshman Filip Petrusev (8.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG) are major contributors for Gonzaga, with the latter being its top bench performer. Although he will be out due to an ankle injury, Gonzaga still has junior Killian Tillie as well, the team’s leading returning scorer and best three-point shooter on the roster.

Regardless of how the game plays out, expect plenty of post-play and a rebounding clinic on Sunday.