NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the 4 teams in 2020 Phil Knight Invitational

Phil Knight Invitational matchup – Gonzaga vs. USC

I’m really, really excited to see how the Zags attempt to handle Mobley in the post. Petrusev, if he returns, is not an elite on-ball defensive player, and while he has the size to at least disrupt Mobley’s shot, it will be up to Timme and Ballo to really do the heavy lifting against Mobley.

If Ballo is as good of a defensive big man as he has been advertised, and Timme shows improvement in his footwork on that end of the floor, the Zags should be able to limit Mobley’s ability to inflict damage.

Regardless, the Zags have far, far too much offensive firepower – especially if Ayayi and Kispert return – to lose this game. USC’s guard play is a big question mark heading into this season, and even though Eaddy has a lot of experience going up against Gonzaga in WCC play, that won’t be enough to help them handle Suggs, Cook, Harris, Strawther and the rest of Gonzaga’s talented, and deep, 2020-2021 roster.

Prediction: Zags over Trojans, 81-64

Phil Knight Invitational matchup – Oregon vs. BYU

This will be a really fun game. Haarms vs. Dante down low. Richardson and Averette battling it out on the wing.

Tons of new players on each side make it a tough one to predict, but, as I said earlier, it will ultimately come down to Dante. If he proves he can score in the paint against Haarms, it will force BYU to collapse in the paint and allow Oregon’s shooters to bury the Cougars.

However, if Haarms can handle Dante, I could see BYU’s brand of efficient basketball and shooting from the outside translating well and ultimately limiting the impact of Oregon’s athleticism.

Both teams will be relatively unfamiliar with each other, but BYU has a lot of experience and I think ultimately that will help them pull off what I expect will be considered an upset – although these two teams are probably going to be similar skill-wise in 2020-2021.

Prediction: BYU over Oregon, 83-78