Gonzaga Basketball: Key takeaways from the 2019 Battle 4 Atlantis

1. Killian Tillie is back.

Killian Tillie was widely projected in the preseason to be one of the top players in the entire country this year. After missing most of last season due to injury, Tillie was expected to return and fill a starring role for the Bulldogs in 2019-20. And although he still missed several games to begin this campaign, he played the last two at the Battle 4 Atlantis. He might not have been the most effective contributor against Oregon (7pts/5rebs on 3-for-11 FG), but he was the best player on the floor for the Zags against Michigan.

Even though the Bulldogs disappointed in that game with a double-digit loss, Tillie looks like his usual self on the court. He played 26 total minutes and supplied 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting. He was +3 in his minutes on the court, meaning that Gonzaga was outscored by 21 in the 14 minutes in which he was on the bench.

Tillie’s physicality and versatility really open up the entire offense for the team. He can spot up from beyond the arc, finish in the paint, or beat his man off the dribble thanks to his playing style as a prototypical modern stretch-four.

Tillie’s health is crucial for Gonzaga to remain a national title contender. Due to his offensive versatility, he can be the go-to scorer for the Bulldogs throughout contests. That much was evident against Michigan and he should continue to be the focal point of the team moving forward. He does, though, need to stay on the floor for the long haul in order for that happen. Gonzaga boasts an inconsistent, albeit balanced, offensive unit without him on the floor. If he is able to be a constant threat night-in-night-out, that will be huge for the team.