Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Bulldogs home battle with Santa Clara

By Tristan Freeman

TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Joel Ayayi #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs handles the ball in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Joel Ayayi #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs handles the ball in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 04: Filip Petrusev #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 04: Filip Petrusev #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

2. Get Santa Clara in foul trouble

It seems a bit strange that a key to this game would be arguably the Bulldogs’ biggest weakness. They once again struggled from the line in the last game, going a combined 17-27 from the charity stripe. For the season, Gonzaga is shooting under 66%, good for just under 300th in the nation. On the positive side, the team did foul out two different LMU players and drew 23 total in the game.

As frustrating as the missed free throws are, Gonzaga is still right up there in terms of getting to the free throw line and drawing fouls. And like most teams, getting into foul trouble in the frontcourt against Gonzaga makes getting the upset all the more difficult. Plus, slowing the game down against one of the best half-court offenses in the country doesn’t make things harder for Gonzaga at all. Besides, despite all the free throw concerns, this is still the top-scoring and passing offense overall.

Santa Clara does have enough frontcourt depth to survive a bunch of fouls but that does depend on who gets it. Vrankic will have his hands full all night against Killian Tillie, Filip Petrusev and Drew Timme and could easily find his way on the bench. His backup is Jaden Bediako, a 6’10 and 240-pound freshman center who averages a few points and rebounds in 13 mpg. While he provides the size to battle the Bulldog bigs, his lack of offense doesn’t help the Broncos on offense.

There are positives to GU’s free throw woes, despite all the clanks. Sometimes, going 0-4 from the charity stripe is worth it if those two drawn fouls take out a key opposing player. Santa Clara can’t afford to get into foul trouble if they want to pull off the road upset. Gonzaga…. would welcome it.