Gonzaga Basketball: Keys for advancing to Final Four over Texas Tech

3. Win the Turnover Battle

While Gonzaga does not force a significantly large amount of turnovers, the Zags are one of the best teams in the nation in holding onto the ball. Few’s team, led by Perkins in running the court, has the eleventh lowest turnover percentage in the nation at 14.7%. To add to the juxtaposing types of play, Texas Tech is the No. 11 team in the nation in forcing turnovers with a turnover on 23.1% of opponents’ possessions.

This battle will come down to the leadership and good hands of Perkins against the swiping abilities of the Red Raiders’ three guards. On the season, Perkins averages 2 topg while Culver, Moretti and Mooney average a combined 4.4 spg. Norvell and Crandall cough the ball up an average of 2.9 topg.

As a fifth-year player playing and starting in his 16th NCAA Tournament game, including the National Championship two seasons ago, nerves will most likely not be a major issue for the Bulldogs’ guard. This season, Perkins has a 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio with a 2.6 ratio in the Zags’ three tournament games.

When Perkins performs well, so do the Bulldogs. In their defeat of Duke in the Maui Invitational in November, Perkins had seven assists and only two turnovers. In a huge win at Creighton, Perkins assisted on 13 baskets while coughing the ball up only once. In the Zags’ two wins over Saint Mary’s this season, Perkins led to 11 baskets and only turned it over three times. But when Perkins is not at his best, the Zags struggle. In their three loses, Perkins has assisted on 21 baskets but turned the ball over 12 times for a 1.75 ratio.

While the dominant ability of Gonzagas’ frontcourt will headline this game, Few will need a surehanded performance from his seasoned guard Perkins. With a comfortable and smart performance, the Bulldogs may be able to advance to their second Final Four in three years.