Gonzaga Basketball: 3 takeaways from beatdown of Auburn Tigers

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 10: Joel Ayayi #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs cuts down a net after the Bulldogs defeated the Saint Mary's Gaels 84-66 to win the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 10, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Gonzaga Basketball Joel Ayayi (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Will give up the deep three

Due to the fact that the Bulldogs are so interchangeable on the court, they switch on all screens. In addition to switching on screens, they extend their on-ball defense beyond the NBA three-point line. Mark Few does not mind if it is Jalen Suggs face guarding the opposing point-guard or if sophomore forward Anton Watson picks him up off the screen.

Such is the rule of basketball, a rule that not even the No.1 ranked team in the nation is immune to, once you take something away, you make something else available. The thing the Bulldogs make available is the three-point shot as the defender recovers off the switch.

The first half saw Auburn battle to stay within striking distance, and they did so off the strength of going 6-14 from beyond the arc while attempting 15 two-point attempts. By the time Gonzaga extended their lead to 30 points with 8 minutes remaining in the game, Auburn was three for 10 from beyond the arc in the second half. Similar to Kansas going 8-18 from the arc, Gonzaga will give up open looks, but they will be from deep.