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

3. Win the Rebound Battle

Thursday evening’s opening Sweet 16 matchup will not only feature two top-20 Kenpom teams but also two top-20 rebounding teams. While the Bulldogs’ top-notch abilities to score have highlighted the season for Few’s team, their ability to pull down missed shots has been an important factor in one of the best seasons in Spokane. This game, dominated by several skilled frontcourt players, may very well come down to which team snags the most rebounds.

Gonzaga, as a team, has grabbed 1361 rebounds this season, the 14th most, while Florida St. has pulled down 1355, the 17th most. In terms of per game statistics, the Bulldogs rank No. 32 with 38.6 rpg, with the Seminoles clocking in aways behind at No. 74, but with barely more than one less rebound at 37.4 rpg.

With the big bodies of Clarke, 6’8″ 215 pounds, Hachmiura, 6’8″ 230 pounds, Tillie, 6’10” 220 pounds, Mfiondu Kabengele, 6’10” 250 pounds, Christ Koumadje, 7’4″ 268 pounds and Raiquan Gray, 6’8″ 260 pounds, all jostling for rebounds in the post, this matchup will be an aggressive one.

Both squads are quite skilled at grabbing offensive rebounds and preventing their opponents from rebounding their own misses, so this meeting will come down to determination off the misses. Gonzaga recovers 31.4% of its own misses, the No. 80 best average in division one, while limiting opponents to only grab 27.1% of their misses, No. 129 in the land. On the other hand, Florida St. gets offensive rebounds on 33.3% of its shots, the 37th best average in the country and limits its opponents to only 26.9%, No. 111.

While the Zags actually did outrebound the Seminoles in last season’s defeat with a 42-40 margin and a 14-10 advantage on offensive boards, its very likely that a game headlined by so many talented and imposing frontcourt players will see the team that wins the rebounding aspect will continue on to the Elite Eight.