Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Takeaways from road win over Washington

By Lukas Harkins

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 08: Joel Ayayi #11 and Filip Petrusev #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate after Ayayi hit a 3-point shot to put Gonzaga up by 6 pois in the 2nd half at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on December 8, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Tedesco/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 08: Joel Ayayi #11 and Filip Petrusev #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate after Ayayi hit a 3-point shot to put Gonzaga up by 6 pois in the 2nd half at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on December 8, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Tedesco/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Petrusev of the Bulldogs dunks. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Petrusev of the Bulldogs dunks. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

1. Balance takes center stage.

I’ve discussed my belief that Gonzaga has the makings of an offensive juggernaut at length already this season and this performance showcased that potential once again. Although it does not appear as though there is one true go-to scorer (possibly Killian Tillie), everyone on the roster is capable of filling it up on any given night. Against Washington’s varying defensive schemes (man-to-man and zone), the Bulldogs were led by five different players that all scored in double-figures.

Killian Tillie (15p/4r/6a/4s) was the most valuable contributor in the contest but so many others were able to step up. The Huskies did their best to consistently force the Bulldogs out of their comfort zone but that was very difficult to accomplish due to the sheer number of viable scoring options for the away team. Gonzaga once again struggled from 3-point range against Washington as they shot just 6-for-21 (28.6%) but they dominated the paint as per usual.

Gonzaga finished the game shooting 27-for-48 (56.2%) inside the arc and dominated on the offensive glass as well while scoring 16 second-chance points. The Bulldogs’ ability to use their dynamic frontcourt duo of Tillie/Petrusev and all-around guard talent in Joel Ayayi makes them super dangerous. Admon Gilder is still struggling a bit as a scorer but it is important to mention that he is still hampered by injury. He will likely return to the starting lineup over Ayayi, a superb sixth man, once he is 100% healthy.

Gonzaga’s balanced offensive attack makes them incredibly difficult to gameplan for.