Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2019: 5 biggest storylines entering the Sweet 16

By Brandon Simberg

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a play in the first half during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a play in the first half during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: Trent Forrest #3 of the Florida State Seminoles goes up for a shot against Jacob Larsen #14 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: Trent Forrest #3 of the Florida State Seminoles goes up for a shot against Jacob Larsen #14 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. The Gonzaga-Florida State rematch

A year after squaring off in the Sweet 16 of the West region last season, Florida State and Gonzaga are back for an encore. The Seminoles upset the Bulldogs 75-60 in the first matchup.

Both teams are improved from last season. Gonzaga lost Jonathan Williams but Brandon Clarke took his spot and is a better overall player. The Zags also lost Silas Melson to graduation, but have seen improvements from Rui Hachimura, Josh Perkins, Zach Norvell, and Corey Kispert. Killian Tillie will be an x-factor for the Zags. The French forward, who missed last year’s game with an injury, returned to the court for Gonzaga in late February. His ability to space the floor could be a weakness for Florida State if he is hitting shots.

Even with Phil Cofer not expected to play for the Seminoles, Florida State still returns many players who contributed in last year’s win. Mfiondu Kabengele and Terrance Mann are much better than last season and Trent Forrest has the size to really bother Perkins. The Seminoles are also bringing back 7’4 Christ Koumadje. His size and length could potentially be an issue for Clarke and Hachimura inside, but there’s also a possibility that they are too fast for him. That is definitely worth monitoring for Florida State.

Gonzaga played a tough non-conference schedule, but has yet to face a team with FSU’s size. The Zags were 10th in the country with a +7.9 rebounding differential. But Florida State is right behind them with a +6.1 differential. Both teams love to get out and run as well. Florida State is deeper, typically playing 10 guys while Gonzaga plays 7-8, so the Bulldogs conditioning will definitely be put to the test.

Gonzaga is going to come out extremely locked in after what happened last year, but the Seminoles have looked great through two games. If guys like Perkins or Norvell are hitting from deep, then i’m not sure anybody can play with Gonzaga. But if Florida State can contain those two while having the edge on the glass, they can shock the Zags for the second year in a row.

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