1. Get Rui Hachimura buckets down the stretch
Rui Hachimura went 2-of-9 shooting from the floor in the second half and put up just seven points. Without his production or lack thereof, Gonzaga’s efforts came up short despite getting 16 points from Clarke and 13 points from Norvell.
All eyes will be on Hachimura all game long but that’s not to say he won’t be of any use. He picked up four fouls before it was all said and done but in this game, North Carolina won’t be as physical of an opponent.
Hachimura has the ability to stretch the floor and get his teammates open. He’s also sure to draw some matchups in his favor with the ball in his hands given North Carolina’s lack of depth in the frontcourt.
If the Tar Heels find themselves in foul trouble down the stretch, Gonzaga could find themselves playing spoiler on the road. A poor second half shooting performance doomed them last weekend, but a refreshed Hachimura could change all of that on Saturday.