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) /

3 of 4

LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 21: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogshangs in the air before shooting over Javin DeLaurier #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of the game at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

2. Brandon Clarke’s play

While Hachimura has the slight edge in terms of points, Brandon Clarke may very well be the most important player for Gonzaga in terms of all around play. The San Jose St. transfer leads the squad in rebounds (7.7 rpg) and blocks (3.1 bpg) and is third in field goal percentage (second if just players with significant numbers are included).

While Clarke’s scoring is actually slightly lower against conference opponents, at 14.3 ppg, the six-foot-eight-inch blocking machine has averaged 3.2 bpg, including two five-block games to start conference play. Despite producing slightly lower numbers in the first six games of conference, Clarke’s field goal percentage has somehow increased even more, averaging 73%.

Clarke’s 69% for the season is the highest in the conference, and he does almost all of it from near the basket. The redshirt junior averages just 2.9 ppg from the charity strike and has made just two three-point attempts all season, but is a still a prolific scorer. Incredibly athletic for a player of his stature, Clarke can comfortably move with the ball from the top of the key or receive the ball in the post and score with ease.

In a huge away game for the Bulldogs, it is worth noting that Clarke’s two highest scoring outings in a Zags uniform have come away from the Kennel, against competitive opponents. On December 1, Clarke dropped 27 at Creighton and 23 at the WCC’s second-best team, San Francisco earlier this month.

But what sets Clarke apart from the rest of the conference, and a vast majority of the country for that matter, is his defensive strengths. With 66 blocks this season, Clarke is levels ahead for most in the conference, doubling the next closest. If Clarke were to play a full 40-minute game, he would average 4.68 per game. In the entire nation, Clarke ranks No. 3 in per game and total number of blocks, and both players ahead of him have a four-inch height advantage.