Busting Brackets
Fansided

Gonzaga vs. North Carolina: 3 key storylines for the upcoming game

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: The Gonzaga Bulldogs are introduced to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: The Gonzaga Bulldogs are introduced to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
2 of 4
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs moves the ball past Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs moves the ball past Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

1) How does Gonzaga rebound after a loss?

Gonzaga has spent a majority of the season ranked No. 1 in the country but lost their stranglehold on that spot with a loss to Tennessee over the weekend.

The Zags have proven that they’re an elite team, beating the likes of Arizona, Duke, Creighton, and Washington, but this is the first time they’ve faced adversity this year – and they quietly have not been playing at the same level they were at when they beat the Blue Devils.

Gonzaga is one Hachimura jumper and one red-hot Second Half Zach Norvell performance from entering this game on a three-game losing streak.

Creighton shot the ball well, didn’t lose the turnover battle, and held Gonzaga’s supporting cast to just 13 points in their matchup. It was the perfect recipe for an upset but Norvell went off for 23 points in the second half, carrying the Bulldogs to the win.

Washington also didn’t lose the turnover battle and limited Gonzaga’s supporting cast before Hachimura beat them with 0.6 seconds left.

Tennessee? You guessed it. Didn’t lose the turnover battle, shot well from three, and held Gonzaga’s bench to five points (and starting point guard Josh Perkins to zero).

Will they get back on track in Chapel Hill?