Gonzaga Basketball: 2018-19 keys for a Bulldogs victory at BYU

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 15, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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1. Hachimura vs Childs

Gonzaga has been the elite team in the conference this season and a huge reason has been because of the Zags’ frontcourt. The two leading scorers for the Bulldogs, Rui Hachimura (19.9 ppg) and Brandon Clarke (16.3 ppg) have been the anchors of the team offensively, as they are shooting a combined 64.4% from the field.

However, despite these impressive numbers from the Bulldogs’ big men, the player with the best offensive stats in this game will be the Cougars’ forward Yoeli Childs. Childs, a junior, leads the conference with 22.3 ppg and shoots the ball quite well, with a 53.5% season average. Hachimura’s weakest part of his game has been his defense, and with a scorer like Childs, this could be quite a matchup for both involved.

Childs has scored 25 points or more ten times this season, including three straight 31-point performances in early December. Hachimura and Childs mirror one another significantly. Both players are six-feet-eight-inches, with Hachimura edging in the weight department at 230 pounds, while Childs clocks in at 225.

However, the two are not only similar in statistics and stature, but style of play as well. The two are great examples of the “new big man” in basketball, with pure athleticism and a keen ability to get to the rim. The two players, both preseason All-WCC Players, excel in the paint, but can step out to keep defenders true.

Childs shoots 58% from two and a respectable 33% from deep. Hachimura has even higher numbers, shooting 61.3% from inside the arch, and a truly impressive 43.5% from behind it.

The key points for Gonzaga to leave Provo with a win will be for Hachimura to do what he does offensively; score, and a score a lot. Likewise, the Zags will need to limit Childs from doing the same. While Hachimura’s defense is not top-notch, Clarke will need to frequently help in defending the Cougars’ star player, especially in the paint.