Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Keys to a Sweet 16 rematch with Florida State

By Brayley Crowe

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks the ball aginst Mario Kegler #4 of the Baylor Bears in the second half of the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks the ball aginst Mario Kegler #4 of the Baylor Bears in the second half of the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Killian Tillie #33 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrates after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Gonzaga defeated South Carolina 77-73. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Killian Tillie #33 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrates after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Gonzaga defeated South Carolina 77-73. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1. Elite Play from Bigs

Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura, the Bulldogs’ Japanese-born superstar, have flown up NBA draft boards this season as their premier play has showcased the abilities both players have at the next level. Likewise, had it not been for a string of three injuries in the past calendar year, Killian Tillie, Gonzaga’s six-foot-ten-inch French forward, would find himself comfortably immersed in these lists as well. Now that Tillie is back for the Bulldogs at full strength, one of the best frontcourts has become a three-man-deep menace.

Since returning from his second injury this season in the semifinal of the West Coast Conference Tournament, Tillie has averaged 8.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 1.8 apg on a 61.4% field goal percentage in 15.8 mpg. The junior has made 75% of his three-point shots since his return and led the Bulldogs in three-point percentage last season, making 47.9% of his 94 attempts from behind the arc. One year ago, Tillie had to watch his Zags fall to the Seminoles in the same round of the NCAA Tournament with a hip injury. Tillie has relieved both Hachimura and Clarke and will, like the rest of the Bulldogs, have an extra urge to seek revenge against the side he was sidelined for in 2018.

Gonzaga’s two nationally recognized starters in the frontcourt, Hachimura and Clarke, lead the team in points and rebounds. Both players are finalists for the Wooden Award, gifted to the best player in the nation, as well as headliners for potential All-American honors. Hachimura is averaging 19.7 ppg and 6.6 rpg on 60.3% field goal average. The junior led the Bulldogs in scoring against Fairleigh Dickinson with 21 points on 8-15 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds. However, against Baylor, he had just six points, making 33% of his shots. For the Bulldogs to excel against an incredibly strong defensive team in the Seminoles, Hachimura will need to be a much more assertive presence in the paint, as well as in his midrange jumper.

Clarke has clearly been enjoying his first outing in the NCAA Tournament, as he has averaged 24 ppg, 8 rpg and 4 bpg through the first two matches, while shooting an almost unreal 76.9% from the field. Throughout the season, Clarke has averaged 17 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 3.1 bpg on 69.9% tally from the field. So despite the big stage, the San Jose St. transfer has increased his statistics in every category, except rebounds. His field goal percentage headed into the tournament was the fourth best in division one, while his effective field goal percentage is 70.5%, the third highest, according to Kenpom.

When Florida St. defeated Gonzaga to advance to the Elite Eight a year ago, the physicality and depth of the Seminoles was pivotal in the Bulldogs’ downfall.  Gonzaga shot 33.9% from the field overall and just 38.5% from two-point range. The Zags were the No. 5 team in the nation in two-point shots last year, averaging 58.2%. Florida St. clocked in at No. 17 in two-point defense. This season, Few’s team is 62.2% from inside the arc, the best in the land, while Florida St.’s 45.5% defense on twos is No. 22 in the nation.

Inversely, the Seminoles made 46.6% of their shots in last year’s meeting, including 55.3% of two-point shots. This two-point percentage beat their season average of 53.6% despite the Bulldogs holding opponents to 44.1% from two, the No. 10 average last year. With the presence of Clarke for the Bulldogs and a healthy Tillie in the mix for Gonzaga, plus the absence of the Seminoles’ star forward Phil Cofer (thoughts and wishes for him during his incredibly difficult time), Gonzaga will look to excel in the paint like it has all season.