Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys for the Bulldogs against North Carolina
2. Win the 3-point shootout
The 3-point line is something the Gonzaga Bulldogs struggled with last Sunday against the Volunteers. Tennessee outshot Gonzaga from behind the arc, going 12-of-29 (41.4 percent) but the Bulldogs weren’t too far behind them.
Gonzaga shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range but they made just seven 3-pointers through both halves of basketball. Forward Rui Hachimura went 0-for-2 and Norvell shot 3-of-8 in the second half as they ran out of firepower down the stretch.
The Bulldogs shot 27.3 percent from 3-point land in the second half and ended up falling in the end. They won the paint battle 32-20 and despite getting just five points from their bench, managed to lose by just three points.
Second half adjustments will need to come together for Gonzaga as they face a North Carolina team averaging 8.0 3-pointers per contest. The Tar Heels are shooting 35.3 percent from 3-point range but considering how they played against a ranked opponent last time, they could be out to prove they’re better than perception says. Winning the 3-point line will be key in sealing a victory on the road for Gonzaga.